Podcast Summary: "Why is HEATHERS Closing in London? | Which musical is coming next (and is it Mean Girls?...)"

Host: MickeyJoTheatre
Release Date: August 11, 2023
Podcast: MickeyJoTheatre
Episode Title: Why is HEATHERS closing in London? | Which musical is coming next (and is it Mean Girls?...)

Introduction

In this episode, Mickey Jo delves into the recent announcement of the London production of the musical Heathers closing its run at the Other Palace Theatre on September 3rd. He explores the reasons behind the closure, the show's impact on the London theatre scene, and speculates on future productions that might take its place, including the potential arrival of the Mean Girls musical.

Heathers' Journey in London

Mickey Jo begins by tracing the journey of Heathers in London, highlighting its unexpected success despite a short-lived Off-Broadway run. The musical gained popularity through its cast recording and bootleg clips of Candy Store, attracting theatre fans worldwide.

"Heathers has had a really great life in London, a life that people may not have anticipated when it had a short-lived off Broadway run." (02:15)

The production at the Other Palace Theatre featured a stellar cast, including Carrie Hope Fletcher, Jodie Steele, Sophie Isaacs, Dominic Anderson, Chris Jung, and Jamie Moscato, among others. This ensemble contributed to the show's vibrant reception and growing fan base.

Reasons for Closing

Mickey Jo examines the factors leading to Heathers closure. He notes that while the show was successful, its primary audience comprised young adults and teenagers, whose ticket-buying power is generally lower compared to older or tourist demographics. Additionally, the simultaneous UK tour may have diluted local interest in the London production.

"Heathers is popular with a young adult audience... but they don't command quite as much ticket buying power as an older audience or a tourist audience." (25:40)

Financial strains, exacerbated by the lingering effects of the pandemic, also played a role. The Other Palace Theatre, which prides itself on nurturing new musicals, might have prioritized more financially secure productions to sustain its operations during challenging times.

Impact on the Theatre Community

The closure of Heathers marks the end of a significant chapter for emerging actors and drama school graduates who found opportunities through the production. Mickey Jo emphasizes the show's role in bringing young audiences to the theatre, contributing to the next generation of theatre enthusiasts.

"Heathers has been a significant employer of drama school graduates... brought a lot of young audiences into the theatre." (30:20)

Future Shows at the Other Palace Theatre

With Heathers closing, attention turns to what will occupy its space next. Mickey Jo expresses hope for new, emerging musicals to take center stage, continuing the theatre's tradition of showcasing fresh talent. However, he acknowledges the challenge of balancing financial viability with artistic innovation.

He discusses the return of Cake, another production by Paul Taylor Mills, to the Lyric Theatre instead of the Other Palace, surprising some fans who expected it to fill the vacancy left by Heathers.

"Cake is going to be doing a handful of performances at the Lyric Theatre, but not at the Other Palace, which I think has surprised people." (45:10)

Speculation: Is Mean Girls Next?

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the potential transfer of the Mean Girls musical to the West End. Mickey Jo notes longstanding rumors and recent developments that suggest the production might soon make its way to London, especially following the closure of Heathers.

"We might be seeing [Mean Girls] very soon, which would make a lot of sense... I have heard from multiple sources that the kind of things that would usually happen in anticipation of a show opening in the West End may already be happening." (58:35)

He points out the strategic timing, aligning the musical's possible West End debut with the release of its film adaptation, which could bolster its success similar to how Matilda benefited from its film counterpart.

Upcoming Events

Mickey Jo also promotes an upcoming event featuring the new musical In Clay, which will have a concert performance on August 21st at the Other Palace Theatre. He invites listeners to attend and participate in a post-show Q&A session, further supporting emerging British musical theatre.

"If you want to support new British musical theatre writing, this is a fantastic show to go and see." (1:05:50)

Conclusion

In wrapping up, Mickey Jo reflects on the bittersweet nature of Heathers closing its London run. While it signifies the end of an era for the musical, it opens doors for new productions and the potential arrival of highly anticipated shows like Mean Girls. He encourages listeners to share their thoughts and suggestions for future productions at the Other Palace Theatre.

"When the musical theatre gods close a door, they open a window." (55:10)

Mickey Jo invites the audience to subscribe to his YouTube channel for more theatre content and to stay engaged with the evolving West End landscape.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "Heathers has had a really great life in London, a life that people may not have anticipated when it had a short-lived off Broadway run." (02:15)

• "Heathers is popular with a young adult audience... but they don't command quite as much ticket buying power as an older audience or a tourist audience." (25:40)

• "Heathers has been a significant employer of drama school graduates... brought a lot of young audiences into the theatre." (30:20)

• "Cake is going to be doing a handful of performances at the Lyric Theatre, but not at the Other Palace, which I think has surprised people." (45:10)

• "We might be seeing [Mean Girls] very soon, which would make a lot of sense... I have heard from multiple sources that the kind of things that would usually happen in anticipation of a show opening in the West End may already be happening." (58:35)

• "If you want to support new British musical theatre writing, this is a fantastic show to go and see." (1:05:50)

• "When the musical theatre gods close a door, they open a window." (55:10)

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