It’s not every day you get to see a hugely popular musical, with somewhat of a cult following, be turned into a sing-a-long performance created simply to pay back fans for their continued support. But, on Tuesday 6th November, Heathers The Musical hosted its very first and only performance where fans were invited to sing to their favourite musical along with the cast.
That night, the buzz around the theatre was something quite indescribable, it was clear that every single person there was what fans of the show would refer to as a ‘Corn Nut’ (translation; a huge fan). Even before the show, many comments could be heard referring to the electric atmosphere in the auditorium as “the same as The Other Palace”, referring to the previous venue of the show where audiences were overflowing with adoring fans night after night, the whole run of the show was sold out, and the crowd was likened to a “rock concert” by a number of cast members.
At 7:45 when the curtain finally rose, the expected chimes of Olivia Moore saying the first line of the show were replaced by the show’s producer appearing on stage to lay down some house rules for the night and even brought on cast members Chris Chung and Dominic Andersen, in character, to hype up the crowd before the show began. It was clear to see that even the cast were excited about this performance as from the front row they could be seen running around in the wings taking videos for social media. After a lot of screaming and a quick vocal warm up, the show began, and it was evident that the whole company was reflecting the energy coming from the audience. This night really felt different to normal, this performance felt less like a west end show and more like something immersive, something gripping, something that you never want to end.
By the end of the first act, cast members were visibly revelling in the reaction from the crowd. Olivia Moore, who was playing the lead role of Veronica Sawyer that night, in place of Carrie Hope Fletcher who had taken ill, appeared extremely pleased with the reaction her performance was receiving. As a recent Musical Theatre graduate of Arts Educational Schools London, the shoes of Veronica Sawyer are big ones to fill, but going by the reaction of the crowd, she was doing a fantastic job.
One of the stand outs of this performance was the level of audience interaction. Even at a standard Heathers performance there is always a high level of fan interaction within the show. But this night was second to none. With cast members making eye contact and looking at the audience more than usual, actors acknowledging the audience, and even exaggerating their characters more than they ever normally would, the experience was something unlike any other. It felt like the show was truly being put on for the fans. Imagine how it feels to sit in one of the best seats in the house and sing along to songs you know and love with eight hundred other people who love it just as much as you. It forms such a sense of community amongst an audience that you wouldn’t usually see. You could tell that every ‘Corn Nut’ in that theatre was having the time of their life.
By the end of the show the audience were unlike any other theatre audience you could possibly imagine. The minute the curtain rose, and the bows began, the whole audience were up on their feet for a standing ovation, the cast were elated, and it seemed such a shame that it was over already. Walking out of the auditorium, all around me I could hear nothing but praise from audience members. Fans of the show discussing the way they “always prayed for a sing-a-long show and it was everything I could have ever wished for”, even hearing one group of friends exclaiming that they couldn’t believe they got to spend their birthday singing along to a show that meant so much to them. Ellie, a 20 year old student from Essex said, “I’ve been looking forward to this ever since it was announced, and it certainly did not disappoint”. Maybe they were biased because they were huge Heathers fans, but perhaps that makes them the show’s harshest critics? Regardless, the opportunity to see the Heathers sing-a-long was such a unique, special experience that will not be forgotten in a hurry. 
Chloe Rose
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