Arriving in York as part of a new UK tour and direct from the West End, Cruel Intentions is based on the 1999 Roger Kumble film of the same name which, like Stephen Frears’ better-known film Dangerous Liaisons, is itself an adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos’ 1782 novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
Set to 1990s music, the story concerns stepsiblings Sebastian Valmont (Will Callan) and Kathryn Merteuil (Nic Myers) who engage in a cruel bet: Kathryn goads Sebastian into attempting to seduce Annette Hargrove (Abbie Budden), the headmaster’s daughter. If he is successful in his conquest, he gets to date his stepsister. If he loses, he must hand over the keys of his expensive car to her.
Weaving a web of secrets and temptation, their crusade wreaks havoc on the students at their exclusive Manhattan high school. Like many other jukebox musicals, this has songs interspersed throughout – at times brilliantly, at others more cringe-worthily. Rather than using any Britpop songs from the period (the only concession here is The Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony), the musical template concentrates on songs from Ricky Martin, REM, Christina Aguilera, the Spice Girls and Ace of Base, amongst others.
Cruel Intentions: good intentions
The two leads in this witty, high-energy production should be the main attraction of the show. Unfortunately, they seem to have been chosen for their singing ability as opposed to any natural chemistry between the two of them. Will Callan’s portrayal of Sebastian should be suave and somewhat smarmy. Instead, his character seemed wooden, with the same facial expression throughout, any charm being left behind in the wings.
Likewise, Nic Myers didn’t have enough venom in her role as the controlling and manipulative stepsister. With the UK touring production only on its second date, the two might settle into their roles, but in York neither appeared convincing.
The real stars of Cruel Intentions are the other pairs in the musical, most notably the gay couple Blaine (Luke Connor Hall) and Greg (Joe Simmons), who almost stole the show with strong performances that were believable and funny. Most importantly, the chemistry between them never appeared contrived. The scene where the two dance happily to the Spice Girls’ Wannabe was contagious, uplifting and engaging. The two were underused despite being the saviours of the first half of the show.
The other star of the evening was Lucy Carter, a natural as Cecile Caldwell. Her expressions and comic timing were a joy to watch, with Kevin Yates providing a good partner as the easily straying Roland. Special mention too for Abbie Budden as the sweet and innocent Annette Hargrove, who finally succumbed to the somewhat diluted charms of tonight’s version of Sebastian. Her version of Natalie Imbruglia’s Torn was a real turning point for her character. For once the song fitted into the dialogue of the show, with her commanding performance adding to the atmosphere.
Dancing the night away
Gary Lloyd’s choreography was energetic and engaging despite one or two of the cast missing their steps. The four piece band, partly hidden behind the stage set, provided the backbeat to this musical, which does not take itself too seriously. If you are a fan of the film versions or like your 1990s pop music, there is something for you to savour here, though I could not tell whether most of the audience where there to enjoy the songs of their youth or to reconnect with the films.
Those films were supposed to illustrate the devious manipulation of people and their lives, to be intriguing, and to have audiences wondering what could happen next. That always didn’t come across in this new musical version.
If you can also cast aside the colourful language that permeates the musical, and some of the sexual references that belong back in the 1990s, Cruel Intentions is an enjoyable evening in which the mixed intentions finally come good.
Cruel Intentions runs until Saturday 22 February at York Grand Opera House
6– 10 May Leeds Grand Theatre
13 – 17 May – Hull New Theatre
