Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical certainly comes with an impressive pedigree! The musical itself, first seen in Los Angeles in 2015, and more recently staged at London’s Other Palace Theatre, is based on Roger Kumble’s 1999 romantic film of the same name, which in turn is an adaptation of the 1782 French novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses, which Christopher Hampton made into a highly successful play for the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1985, starring Alan Rickman. I understand that there is also a 2024 television series…
Roger Kumble, together with Jordan Ross and Lindsey Rosin, based his book for the musical on his film, and, unusually for a juke box musical, which in this case uses about twenty-five well-known songs from the nineteen-nineties, the dialogue is not only intelligent and believable, it is also quite engrossing. We find ourselves caring and wanting to know what happens to the protagonists rather than just snoozing until the next song!
The plot focuses on Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil, rivals, who use sex as a weapon of degradation and humiliation, all the while enjoying their cruel games, their targets being Cecile, who has fallen in love with her cello teacher, and Annette Hargrove, an innocent in love and sex. A twist is given to the original story as all involved are students at a prestigious fee-paying school in New York, where Annette’s father is about to become Head Teacher.
What impresses above all about this touring production is the commitment, energy and skill of the twelve-strong ensemble cast. Not only is the singing of a very high standard and supremely stylish from all involved, especially in the songs involving choral harmony, sometimes unaccompanied (music director Will Joy), but the dancing is very slick with some very inventive and always apt choreography by Gary Lloyd.
Will Callan is a superb Sebastian: suave, cruel, yet at the same time managing to build a three-dimensional, believable role, however horrible that may be. Nic Myers commands the stage as Kathryn, especially in her ‘big’ solo scene in Act Two. Lucy Carter is suitably unattractive and gawkish as ‘cellist Cecile, until she discovers the joys of sex(!), and Abbie Budden is wonderful as Annette. Not just because of her blonde hair, though that helps, she comes across as pure and innocent with a very watchable face and, as with all the cast, can certainly belt out a song!
The static set designed by Polly Sullivan gives the impression of taste and wealth, as well as giving a large area for dancing when required. It is imaginatively lit by Nick Richings, even if the follow spot operators were inclined to be a tad slow in “following”, sometimes leaving actors in darkness downstage. Chris Whybrow’s sound design settled down by the start of the second half: before that, the dialogue was inclined to be over-amplified and the otherwise excellent four-piece band too dominant.
A word also for Resident Director Gabrielle Williams, who ensured that the show looked crisp, fresh and, supremely polished: everyone on stage really looked as if they were enjoying what they were doing – and therefore so did the audience.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed Cruel Intentions! It is on a much higher creative level than most other “juke box” musicals that I have seen, with great thought being put into the choice and placement of the various songs so that one could almost believe that they were written especially for the musical. In addition, much insight has been given to the book. It does not just link the songs, it allows the audience to empathise with the various characters and is brave enough to give the show a downbeat ending. No wonder that the first night Brighton Theatre Royal audience gave it a spontaneous standing ovation!
Very highly recommended: if you did not see it in London, it is well worth the 60-minute train journey to Brighton, especially as I understand that this is the final week of the tour!
Review by John Groves
Step siblings Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil engage in a cruel bet: Kathryn goads Sebastian into attempting to seduce Annette Hargrove, the headmaster’s virtuous daughter.
Weaving a web of secrets and temptation, their crusade wreaks havoc on the students at their exclusive Manhattan high school. It’s not long before the duo become entangled in their own web of deception and unexpected romance, with explosive results…
CAST
Nic Myers – Kathryn Merteuil
Will Callan – Sebastian Valmont
Abbie Budden – Annette Hargrove
Lucy Carter – Cecile Caldwell / Marci Greenbaum
Luke Conner Hall – Blaine Tuttle
Joe Simmons – Greg Mcconnell
Gabriella Williams – Mrs Bunny Caldwell / Dr Greenbaum
Kevin Yates – Ronald Clifford
Ben Fenwick – Court Reynolds
Olivia Brookes, Sophie Hutchinson, Onuri Smith – Ensemble
CREATIVES
Created by Jordan Ross, Lindsey Rosin and Roger Kumble
Based on the original hit film by Roger Jumble
Originally produced by Eva Price
Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle
Choreographer and Associate Director – Gary Lloyd
Set and Costume Designer – Poly Sullivan
Lighting Designer – Nick Richings
Sound Designer – Chris Whybrow
Musical Director – Will Joy
Intimacy Coordinator – Rebecca Reaney
Fight Director – Bret Yount
CRUEL INTENTIONS: THE 90S MUSICAL
Theatre Royal Brighton, 24 to 28 June 2025
Book Tickets for Theatre Royal Brighton
