Tuesday night at the New Theatre Oxford saw the stage lit up with scandal, scheming, and some seriously nostalgic bangers as Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical started its devilishly fun run in the city.
Based on the iconic 1999 teen film — itself a modern reworking of Les Liaisons Dangereuses — this stage adaptation is a slick, high-energy production that manages to honour the original while winking knowingly at its more melodramatic moments. For those unfamiliar with the plot, the story revolves around step-siblings Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil, two spoilt and sociopathic socialites who toy with the lives of those around them for their own amusement.
Set against the backdrop of an elite Manhattan prep school, the show follows their elaborate manipulation of the virginal Annette Hargrove, who has recently pledged to “wait until love” in a national magazine column. Kathryn dares Sebastian to seduce Annette in exchange for a kiss of her own — but as emotions shift and loyalties fray, the stakes become more than just a game.
What makes this musical particularly entertaining is how it weaves a string of ’90s chart-toppers into the narrative with surprising elegance. It’s a jukebox musical, yes — but not a lazy one. The songs are selected with intention, driving forward character development and plot twists in a way that feels organic rather than shoehorned. From Torn to No Scrubs, Genie in a Bottle to I Want It That Way, the soundtrack is a glorious tribute to a decade when CDs were king and pop culture was unapologetically extra.
The cast embraces the chaos with relish. Will Callan, as Sebastian, brings both swagger and soul to the role, portraying the famed anti-hero with a complexity that lifts him beyond the typical teen heartthrob. His chemistry with Olivia Brookes’ Annette is electric, culminating in a standout duet that stops the show with its emotional weight and vocal power. Their voices blend beautifully in a tender moment of connection that contrasts poignantly with the manipulation swirling around them.
Nic Myers delivers a deliciously wicked turn as Kathryn Merteuil, channelling the icy control and venomous wit that made the original film’s character so iconic. Myers knows exactly when to play it cool and when to let loose — particularly during her musical numbers, where the claws really come out. It’s a confident performance that holds the entire show together, with Kathryn pulling the strings from the shadows like a pop-culture puppet master.
And then there’s Lucy Carter as Cecile Caldwell — arguably the comic highlight of the night. Her performance is delightfully unhinged, walking the tightrope between innocence and absurdity with complete commitment. A standout scene sees Cecile embrace her sexual awakening with a sultry (and slightly surreal) rendition of Boyz II Men’s I’ll Make Love to You. It’s moments like these that give the show its playful edge, never taking itself too seriously even while staying true to the spirit of the film.
The staging is slick and unfussy, allowing the characters and the soundtrack to take centre stage. Lighting is used effectively to heighten tension, create intimacy, and throw us into the neon-drenched, Walkman-scored world of late ’90s teen drama. Costumes are perfectly in step with the era — slip dresses, preppy blazers, and chokers abound — further anchoring the show in the aesthetics some of us remember from MTV and Smash Hits.
What truly elevates this production, though, is the audience’s connection to it. This musical was made for millennials, who remember the original film and the songs that shaped their adolescence. There’s a collective thrill every time a new hit kicks in, with more than a few audience members mouthing the lyrics or quietly singing along. The energy is less about theatrical reverence and more about communal joy — like dancing to NSYNC’s Bye Bye Bye at a school disco, but with better lighting and choreography.
That said, even those unfamiliar with the film will find much to enjoy here. The story is compelling in its own right — a dark morality tale about power, privilege, and the blurred lines between desire and manipulation — and the music gives it a fresh, irreverent twist. Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical walks a fine line between satire and sincerity, knowing when to lean into the drama and when to pull back with a wink to the audience.
Ultimately, this is a show that delivers on its promise: sexy, slick, and packed with sing-along anthems, it’s a joyous, tongue-in-cheek night out that celebrates the excesses of the ‘90s with affection and flair. Whether you grew up idolising Sarah Michelle Gellar or just love a good throwback playlist, Cruel Intentions is the musical you didn’t know you needed — and one you’ll be humming all the way home.
Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical is on at New Theatre Oxford from Tuesday 15 to Saturday 19 April.
Sidebar
Long before it hit the stage with a soundtrack of ‘90s bangers, Cruel Intentions began life as a scandalous French novel. Les Liaisons Dangereuses, written by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos in 1782, chronicled a tale of power, seduction and betrayal among the French aristocracy.
Over the centuries, it has inspired countless adaptations — but none more iconic for modern audiences than the 1999 film Cruel Intentions. Directed by Roger Kumble, the film reimagined the story for a new generation, swapping powdered wigs for prep school uniforms and Versailles for Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
With Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) as the ruthless Kathryn Merteuil, Ryan Phillippe (I Know What You Did Last Summer) as the brooding Sebastian Valmont, and Reese Witherspoon (Legally Blonde) as the principled Annette Hargrove, the film became an instant cult classic. Despite mixed reviews on release, its sharp dialogue, unforgettable scenes, and era-defining soundtrack helped cement its place in pop culture history.
In 2015, the story took another seductive turn — this time on stage. Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical was co-created by Jordan Ross, Lindsey Rosin and Roger Kumble himself. Combining the film’s razor-sharp plot with a nostalgic jukebox score of hits from artists like Britney Spears, Boyz II Men, Christina Aguilera, TLC, and R.E.M, the show debuted off-Broadway before embarking on tours across the US and UK.
Now, over two decades since the film first shocked and delighted audiences, Cruel Intentions continues to reinvent itself — and at New Theatre Oxford, it proved there’s still plenty of pleasure to be had in this deliciously dark tale of teen temptation.
The post Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical – Seduction, sass and a whole lot of ’90s nostalgia appeared first on The Oxford Magazine.
from The Oxford Magazine https://ift.tt/wTkF8Yp
via IFTTT
Comments
Post a Comment