Budding Kalgoorlie-Boulder theatre director to show off skills during new performance

A budding theatre director will get the chance to bring their newest show to life next month as the Stage Left Theatre Troupe presents Heathers the Musical.

Teenage director Sophie Ward has previously co-directed performances with the group and will now direct one of their favourite shows.

Heathers, based on the 1988 movie of the same name, tells the tale of high-school misfit Veronica Sawyer, who is in with the popular girls but soon falls in love with a new student, leading to a homicidal twist.

“I love this show. When you get into musical theatre, there’s like four (must-do) shows and one of them is Heathers, so actually getting to direct it is really fun,” Ward said.

“It has fabulous music, it is hilariously funny, and it also tackles a lot of important themes that need to be discussed in this community.”

This will be the first time Ward has directed a show alone, but told the Kalgoorlie Miner there were no nerves thanks to the rest of the Stage Left crew.

That behind-the-scenes team includes mother Kylie Ward and vocal teacher Emily Thornbury, who has co-directed with Ward in the past.

Heathers will take to the stage on three weekends, with opening night set for August 12.

“If you love the movie, you’re going to love the musical even more,” Ward said.