Having had the chance to catch this show during its run at The Other Palace in the first part of 2024, one can confidently say that we have said goodbye to the production we knew. Cruel Intentions has changed, as most shows do when setting off on a major tour, but this time not necessarily for the better.
Cruel Intentions tells the story of the callous and devious stepsiblings Kathryn Merteuil and Sebastian Valmont, played by Nic Myers and Will Callan respectively, and their bet to toy with the innocent Annette Hargrove (Abbie Budden). In their quest to destroy her reputation, the devilish pair tangle themselves in a web of lies and deceit, not yet understanding the cost of their actions. Featuring the music of Britney Spears, Boyz II Men, and Christina Aguilera (amongst others), Cruel Intentions is a classy, cliché, and clever retelling of the 90s cult classic film.
It is quite often the same problems which arise in jukebox musicals, with book writers having to weave in unrelated songs to make some sense out of the storyline. Although Cruel Intentions had its issues during its run at the Other Palace last year, especially when it came to the song lyrics not matching the story, there was something about the venue which made it fun and enjoyable despite its faults. However, taking the same material and bringing it to a much larger stage is risky, and as much as this reviewer wanted to find that same feeling of nostalgia in this new production, it just wasn’t there this time.
The opening of the show, as well as the movie it is based on, was originally a song by the band Placebo called ‘Every Me and Every You.’ This production, however, has opted for Ricky Martin’s ‘Livin La Vida Loca.’ Although that change may seem inconsequential for many, it changes the tone of the show radically. It unfortunately set up a whole series of mismatched scenes and rough transitions, which highlighted the issues with the concept of Jukebox shows.
When it comes to shows, it is often a general rule of thumb that a big stage calls for something to fill it. The show’s last production did not have this issue as it benefitted from a smaller familiar space, which automatically immersed the audience into the story and the general atmosphere. This production, however, felt the need to fill the space by interacting with the audience on a few occasions, which honestly felt out of place.
Now, don’t get me wrong, this show is fun. It is different, nostalgic, and full of energy, despite its whacky story. But the large stage meant that something needed to be added to fill that space. There were many opportunities, particularly in Act 2, to bring in the incredibly talented ensemble to do exactly that, but it wasn’t done.
The production saw the return of the iconic decadent black sofa, as well as the large marble- like backdrop. However, the overall set leaned towards a much lighter colour palette this time around, which again created a sort of dissonance between the tone of the story and the backdrop. The production also seemed to have parted ways with its original revolving stage, which seemed to be a hit last time. Having the benefit of a large stage, Gary Lloyd was able to adapt the choreography to make do without it, and it really seemed to work.
As for the performances, the star of the show was without a doubt Luke Connor Hall who played Blaine Tuttle. His character brought comedic relief to the show, offering incredibly memorable and entertaining moments. The comedic timing was just on point, and the musical moments were nothing short of absolutely hilarious.
The technical aspects, as could be expected on the first night in a new venue, were not perfect. Some of the mics were unfortunately cutting off at some points, which is one of the risks with live theatre. However, these moments often happened on the punchlines of jokes, or even during some songs, which certainly didn’t help the audience fully appreciate the moments.
Despite its issues, Cruel Intentions is still a very fun night out with a twisted story and a talented cast. However, it did not fully live up to the legacy left behind by last year’s production, perhaps proving that this show was made to thrive in smaller and more familiar theatres.
Cruel Intentions plays at New Wimbledon Theatre until 01st March before continuing on its UK and Ireland Tour.
★★★☆☆ (3*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Pamela Raith
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