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Heathers The Musical (Teen Edition) – The Review

News overview

It was a Bold Brilliant Triumph

Suffolk New College’s performing arts department delivered a stunning production of Heathers: The Musical (Teen Edition) that was nothing short of electrifying.

An energetic theatre scene at Suffolk New College featuring students in colourful costumes performing on stage with vibrant lighting.

I believe this sharp, stylish, and emotionally charged performance would not feel out of place on a professional stage.

What unfolded was a masterclass in youthful talent, fearless storytelling, and exceptional creative direction.

Leading the production with remarkable maturity was Imogen Thompson as Veronica Sawyer, offering a performance that balanced vulnerability, wit, and moral conflict with impressive nuance.

Group of diverse students performing a play or dance on stage at Suffolk New College, showcasing creative arts and performing arts education.

Opposite her, Blake Williams brought a chilling charisma to Jason “JD” Dean. He was brooding, magnetic, and increasingly unhinged as the story spiralled into darkness.

Young male student at Suffolk New College participating in a 7-Eleven promotional event, holding a drink, with a brick wall background and a 7-Eleven branded setup.

The Heathers themselves were a force of nature.

Hannah Page (Heather Duke), Summer Fullthorpe (Heather Chandler), and Stice Cullingford (Heather McNamara) delivered a trio of performances that were sharp, stylised, and dripping with attitude. Their chemistry was equal parts comedic and menacing, and anchored the show’s social hierarchy with pitch‑perfect precision.

Students performing on stage at Suffolk New College, showcasing a theatrical production of Westbury High, with vibrant costumes and stage lighting.

Comedy was delivered in abundance by Jacob Lincoln (Kurt Kelly) and Jazzy Abel (Ram Sweeney), whose timing and physicality had the audience laughing throughout.

Group of Suffolk New College students performing a play on stage, with one student sitting and two others standing, in a theatre setting with brick walls and stage lighting.

Chloe Sparrow’s heartfelt portrayal of Martha Dunstock added emotional depth, grounding the show’s darker themes with sincerity and warmth.

Two young women smiling and talking at Suffolk New College, with a brick wall background and a lunch menu sign, showcasing student engagement and college environment.

The lecturing team deserves immense credit for shaping a production that balanced satire, tragedy, and high‑energy musical theatre with confidence. The show featured tight harmonies, slick transitions, and choreography that felt both character‑driven and visually striking.

The supporting cast, from New Wave Girl to Hipster Dork, from Officer Milner to the various parents and teachers, created a bustling, believable world.

Group of students performing on stage at Suffolk New College, with a teacher or director in front, under vibrant purple lighting, showcasing arts and drama education.

Every performer contributed to the atmosphere of chaos, comedy, and teenage melodrama that defined this production of Heathers.

Scenery from Limelight Performers and equipment from JLA Sound and Light elevated the visual world of the show, giving the production a bold, polished aesthetic.

Students performing a festive dance on stage at Suffolk New College, showcasing college arts and drama programs during a holiday event with colourful lighting and lively atmosphere.

A fearless take on a cult classic

What made this production exceptional was its emotional intelligence. The cast handled the show’s darker themes of bullying, grief, identity, and the pressure to conform with sensitivity and depth. The satire landed, the humour sparkled, and the emotional beats resonated.

By the final scene, the audience was fully invested in Veronica’s journey toward reclaiming her voice and rejecting the toxic culture around her. It was powerful, heartfelt, and delivered with conviction.

The final verdict

Suffolk New College’s Heathers: The Musical – Teen Edition was a triumph.

It was bold, polished, and bursting with talent. This is a performing arts department operating at an exceptional level, and every student involved should feel immensely proud.

If this production is any indication of what’s to come, the future of theatre in Ipswich is in very safe hands.

Students performing on stage at Suffolk New College, showcasing a theatrical production of Westbury High, with vibrant costumes and stage lighting.
Students performing a festive dance on stage at Suffolk New College, showcasing college arts and drama programs during a holiday event with colourful lighting and lively atmosphere.
Cheerleading team performing on stage at Suffolk New College, showcasing student talent and school spirit during a lively event with vibrant lighting and energetic dance moves.
Student performing on stage at Suffolk New College during a drama production, with a backdrop reading Westerburg High, showcasing college arts and theatre courses.
A student at Suffolk New College standing on stage during a performance, holding a script or booklet, with a backdrop displaying "Westerburg High" and stage lighting, showcasing college arts programs.
Group of students performing on stage at Suffolk New College, with a teacher or director in front, under vibrant purple lighting, showcasing arts and drama education.
Group of students at Suffolk New College during a performance, with one girl singing into a microphone and others in school uniforms, showcasing college activities and student engagement.
Two students performing a scene on stage at Suffolk New College, showcasing drama and performing arts education in a vibrant theatre setting.
Group of young performers on stage at Suffolk New College, with a woman lifting a child, surrounded by other children in colorful costumes, under vibrant stage lighting.
An energetic theatre scene at Suffolk New College featuring students in colourful costumes performing on stage with vibrant lighting.
A lively scene from a college theatre production at Suffolk New College, featuring students in colourful costumes performing on stage with vibrant lighting.
Suffolk New College students participating in a collaborative activity in a modern indoor space, showcasing student engagement and college facilities.
Group of students performing on stage at Suffolk New College, showcasing drama and theatre arts in a vibrant college environment.
Two women dressed as police officers participating in a training or role-play activity at Suffolk New College, with other students and staff in the background, under vibrant blue lighting.
A vibrant scene from a theatre production at Suffolk New College, featuring students in colourful costumes performing on stage with dynamic lighting and a brick wall backdrop.
Students performing a dramatic scene on stage at Suffolk New College, showcasing drama and performing arts education in a vibrant college environment.
Young male student at Suffolk New College participating in a 7-Eleven promotional event, holding a drink, with a brick wall background and a 7-Eleven branded setup.
Group of diverse students at Suffolk New College engaging in a social event, showcasing college community, student life, and campus activities in a vibrant learning environment.
Group of Suffolk New College students performing a play on stage, with one student sitting and two others standing, in a theatre setting with brick walls and stage lighting.
Students performing a dance routine at Suffolk New College, showcasing creative arts and performing arts programs in a vibrant, colourful setting.
Group of diverse students performing on stage at Suffolk New College, engaging in a theatrical or musical activity, with a brick wall background and stage lighting.
Students performing on stage at Suffolk New College theatre, showcasing drama and performing arts education in a vibrant, professional setting.
Group of diverse students at Suffolk New College participating in a creative workshop or class, engaging in hands-on learning in a modern educational environment.
Two young women smiling and talking at Suffolk New College, with a brick wall background and a lunch menu sign, showcasing student engagement and college environment.
Group of diverse students performing a play or dance on stage at Suffolk New College, showcasing creative arts and performing arts education.
Students performing on stage at Suffolk New College theatre, showcasing drama and performing arts facilities with vibrant lighting and a lively atmosphere.
Posted 4 June 2026
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