Review: Cruel Intentions – The 90’s Musical at Palace Theatre ‘is a nostalgic, campy romp through ’90s hits with wicked charm’

Recycling is now common place in the UK. And this latest jukebox musical has lots of material which has been reused. It began life as a French film drama, loosely based on a novel. It was then remade as Dangerous Liaisons starring Glenn Close, Michelle Pfeiffer, Uma Thurman, John Malkovich and Keanu Reeves.

This was followed by a teen movie remake/update – Cruel Intentions which starred Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Philippe and Reece Witherspoon, directed by Roger Kumble. The film was the perfect alternative to the cutesy teen rom coms that flooded cinemas in this decade and like 10 Things I Hate About You, it did something different with the source material and the female lead ruled the roost.

Cruel Intentions – The 90’s Musical at Palace Theatre

This new musical version has been created by Jordan Ross, Lindsey Rosin and the film’s director Roger Kumble and it has a jukebox filled with hits from the ‘90s, including Torn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Livin’ La Vida Loca.

The plot remains familiar to fans of the now incredibly campy film, and we follow two rich high school characters, a step brother and step sister, as they manipulate and groom all those that dare step into their path. Sebastian (Will Callan) is shallow and dour but popular with every woman he meets, and he wraps them around his little finger.

Kathryn Merteuil by Nic Myers

Kathryn Merteuil (Nic Myers) is a self proclaimed bitch, and straight out of Dynasty, she feels and acts like a badass Colby. Step forward Annette Hargrove (Abbie Budden), Cecile Caldwell (Lucy Carter) and Ronald Clifford (Kevin Yates) – three pawns on their carved marble chess board. And watch as their lives are changed for the worst, their secrets are spilled and they become play things for this ‘rich bitch’ LA double act.

Beneath the cold and calculating shenanigans, there is a glimmer of humanity, as Sebastian finds himself falling for the bible carrying nice girl Annette, who is not quite the wall flower she he thinks she is.

There are songs here that work well and they are woven into the narrative, including No Doubt’s brilliant Just a Girl and Christine Aguilera’s banger Genie in a Bottle, and when you hear the openings bars, you smile – as you know what’s coming next. There are others though that make no sense being here, including REM’s Losing my Religion and Deep Blue Something’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s and they jar, as the lyrics do not align with the plot developments or the characters’ cruel intentions.

A show that keeps the hits coming

And because the hits keep on coming, the characters start to become very thinly sketched, as the show becomes a vehicle for these songs to be shoehorned in. But there are many saving graces which make this show a fun night out. With so many musicals featuring clean cut characters who sing about love and romance, it is great to see a show where the leads have no morals whatsoever.

And Nic Meyers and Will Callan play them with their tongues firmly planted in their cheeks and they turn this small scale musical into a full blown super soap opera with a banging soundtrack.

Abbie Budden has played the role of Annette in London and you can tell, as during Just a Girl, she truly arrives and you realise that her character is no pushover. Lucy Carter conveys all of the awkwardness associated with being a teen, and she has a real gift for comedy, constantly making you laugh as her character is awakened from her slumber.

Luke Conner Halll and Joe Simmons own the stage

Luke Conner Halll and Joe Simmons own the stage as a queer couple, and it is great to see these roles expanded and become more fully rounded than in the film. They both have energy to burn. Gabriella Williams delivery of No Scrubs as a po faced and racist LA mom, is a tough one to deliver but she does incredibly well, as you laugh at the character. And Kevin Yates is excellent as Ronald Clifford, and they revel in the ridiculousness of this camp musical.

The ensemble are also excellent, shining their way through Gary Lloyd’s energetic choreography. Although Polly Sullivan’s set design is quite static the action starts to feel a bit samey after a while, as a result.

If you are new to the film, this might look like a bubblegum musical, but imagine that gum dipped in vodka, as this is a bawdy and bitchy show which has a ‘1990s anything goes’ approach to storytelling.

And in a world where the new Disney live action remake of Snow White is now called woke by people who have not seen the film, and the film’s star is vilified for speaking her mind and having an opinion, Cruel Intentions might just be the ultimate uncensored distraction that you never knew you needed.

Tickets for Cruel Intentions – The 90’s Musical

Cruel Intentions – The 90’s Musical is at the Palace Theatre until 29th March and can be booked here.