Returning to see Heathers the musical for a second time, I thought I knew what to expect—but the performance still managed to leave me in tears by the end.

There's something about this show that grabs hold of your emotions, even as it explores dark and uncomfortable themes, all while wrapping everything in a brightly coloured, high-school-fun package.

This time, I saw it at Richmond Theatre and the show is running at this gorgeous venue up until October 12.

The theatre is stunning, and its smaller size really made for an up-close, personal connection with the show.

The set made you feel like you were sat in the high school assembly hall of Heathers.

Even though the cast was different from the first time I saw Heathers, they quickly won me over. JD, played by Keelan McAuley, was the standout.

His transformation throughout the show from brooding rebel to something much more terrifying was impressive.

JD, played by Keelan McAuleyJD, played by Keelan McAuley (Image: PAMELA RAITH)

He mastered that chilling look and ominous presence that makes JD such an unforgettable character.

Daisy Twells, who played Heather McNamara (the Yellow Heather), brought something really special to the stage.

She had this magnetic presence, and every time she was on stage, you couldn't help but watch her and her performance of “lifeboat” rocked me.

The thing about Heathers is that there’s never a boring moment. The songs are iconic—full of punchy, energetic beats—and the cast brought so much energy to every number.

From the sharp, biting humour to the more emotionally raw moments, the show manages to switch gears so quickly, keeping you on your toes the entire time.

It’s a unique experience, watching a musical that balances these dark, heavy themes with laugh-out-loud humour.

You find yourself laughing one minute and then sitting there in awe the next, wondering how a story so fun can also be so intense.

Credit is due to the entire cast for their stage presence. It’s the kind of show where, even if you’re not super familiar with Heathers, you get swept up in the madness of it all.

Heathers is at Richmond Theatre up until October 12Heathers is at Richmond Theatre up until October 12 (Image: PAMELA RAITH)

The audience was filled with fans, some even dressed up in outfits from the show, adding to the whole cult-following vibe.

Seeing that level of enthusiasm from the crowd just made the experience even better. It felt like everyone was in on this shared excitement for what we were about to see.

Richmond Theatre always delivers when it comes to convenience. Quick service at the bar was a definite plus, making it easy to relax before the show and during the interval.

A quick word of warning—Heathers deals with some pretty heavy topics, and there are definitely trigger warnings to be aware of.

It’s a dark comedy, for sure, and it doesn’t shy away from exploring issues like teenage angst, mental health, and violence.

If you’re heading into the show, it’s worth having an idea of the themes so you’re prepared for some of the more intense moments.

That’s also what makes it so compelling—Heathers doesn’t sugarcoat anything. It dives right into the messy reality of high school, peer pressure, and what it means to be a teenager trying to figure things out.

Heathers at Richmond Theatre was an absolute thrill to watch. The cast, the music, the humour and the emotional depth all came together perfectly.

It’s no surprise this show has such a dedicated following.