Cult classic, Cruel Intentions has been re-imagined and is louder than ever in Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical.
Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, the film-turned-show features a range of 90s hits and is enjoying a 14 week run at London’s The Other Palace.
The plot:
TL:DR – Two promiscuous rich kids in Manhattan like to fuck with people and place a bet with complete disregard to the consequences.
Taking place on a set that looks somewhere between a mansion entrance and an Amsterdam sex dungeon, Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical follows a pair of entitled step-siblings whose sexual prowess knows no bounds, Sebastian Valmont (Daniel Bravos) and Kathryn Merteuil (Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky).
Sultry Sebastian has a reputation for getting under his conquest’s skin before he gets under their sheets. So when Kathryn, a self described “Marcia fucking Brady of the Upper East Side”, challenges Sebastian to a bet to seduce the headmaster’s daughter, he simply can’t refuse.
Will Sebastian get his end away? Have the deceitful duo bitten off more than they can chew? And most importantly – did it need to be a musical?
Are you in or are you out?
Despite some initial misgivings, the cast channelled the characters perfectly. The inflections and mannerisms feel as if they rehearsed by watching the film on repeat, transporting you back in time to the days of cable TV.
Oh, the nostalgia.
At first it felt as though the cast were overshadowed by the characters i.e Bravos wasn’t playing Sebastian, he was playing Ryan Phillippe playing Sebastian. By the end though, Bravos had this reviewer wondering ‘Ryan who?’ whilst McCaulsky’s Kathryn sauntered across stage like a West End villain ready to power house through a 90s number at any moment – earning round after round of applause.
McCaulsky and Bravos are joined on stage by a full line up, notably Abbie Budden as the virtous Annette Hargrove, Sebastian’s latest target and Rose Galbraith, the not-so-innocent Cecile, jumping headfirst in to a journey of sexual awakening.
The adaption did indulge some of the side characters at the expense of outdated themes and opinions – bringing a much needed giggle and a refreshing take on the moody tones of the original flick.
Did Cruel Intentions need to be a musical?
In short, yes.
Whilst the characters translate well, some of the 90s nuances and subtleties that made the film a cult classic are lost to a showcase twang. Fear not though, (what can only have been painstakingly selected) musical numbers effortlessly contribute to the performance, conveying exactly where the characters are at and moving the plot along seamlessly.
It is worth noting though that there was a certain reliance on the audience’s familiarity with the film. Cruel Intentions: The Musical is a jukebox musical so felt in many ways a shot to shot remake (including the pool scene and yes, that kiss scene) so if this kind of theatre isn’t really your style you might find this tiresome, but if you were an avid fan of the cult classic then you are in for a wild ride.
So ask yourself this, are you in or are you out?
Cultured Swines 