11 – 15 March
“Power can be cruel” reads the strapline for 1999’s cult classic film Cruel Intentions. Written and directed by Roger Kumble, this darkly comic drama is based on Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ 1782 novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses, which in turn spawned a 1985 play by Christopher Hampton on which tonight’s performance is loosely based, as well as an Oscar-winning, star-studded Hollywood film in 1988. It seems that the appeal of this sordid tale of seduction and sexual manipulation shows no sign of abating.
Its latest reincarnation is as an American jukebox musical. With its premiere back in 2015, the result is a tongue-in-cheek exploration of the social and sexual mores of a group of spoilt, hedonistic, upper-class students at Manchester Prep, a privileged Manhattan high school where very little education ever seems to actually take place – its residents seem to be too busy indulging in other, more adult pursuits instead. Kathryn Merteuil and Sebastian Valmont are sadistic step-siblings who take a particular enjoyment in exploiting others purely for their own entertainment. Their selfish bet centres on their own obsessive desires – Sebastian to get as many notches on his bedpost as possible, with the new Headmaster’s virginal and virtuous daughter as his latest conquest, whereas for Kathryn it is to cynically gain revenge over an ex-boyfriend and his new love interest. It’s all rather unedifying in its presentation of an entitled, affluent elite and their fundamental lack of human decency.
This dark and twisted tale is given the full musical treatment in a performance which combines slick choreography and dance routines (the platform scene with its slo-mo elements is superb) with some powerful vocals, all set to a roster of classic ‘90s hits, with everything from Ace of Base to REM, from the Cardigans to the Spice Girls. Whilst Nic Myers (Merteuil) and Will Callan (Valmont) showcase their impressive vocal talents, shouldering the majority of the musical numbers as the two leads, they are ably supported by a talented ensemble cast, most notably Abbie Budden as Annette, Valmont’s conquest and Lucy Carter as Cecile, the ex-boyfriend’s new flame. All are accompanied by a live band on a raised stage who deliver a repertoire of over twenty popular tracks of the period. And whilst older members of the audience will remember many of these songs from their first time around, a younger audience, many of whom foster a love of retro ‘80s and ‘90s music (perhaps a comment on the lack of musical identity for the Spotify-saturated streaming generation) seemed tonight to enjoy the soundtrack too, joining in with equal willingness.
Once you have got used to the idea that this is a show which sends itself up with genuine relish and a knowing sense of irony, the whole thing becomes much more enjoyable, especially in the second half where the moral bankruptcy of some of the characters is somewhat redeemed, whilst others deservedly get their just desserts. Given the subject matter, there is no shortage of raunchiness either, with adult language to match, although some lines are perhaps unnecessarily crude. There are some excellent costumes too, although in the final scene we see, for the first time, the cast attired in school uniform, a reminder that for all their sexual depravity and loose morals which the show explores, these are just high school students. It’s a sobering thought.
Nonetheless, Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical is an enjoyable romp (in every sense of the word) and especially so if you don’t take it too seriously.
★★★☆☆ Tony Clarke 12 March 2025
Photography credit: Pamela Raith Photography
