Cruel Intentions: The 90’s Musical is a new jukebox musical based on the iconic 90’s film of the same name. For those of you who haven’t seen the film allow me to summarise: Cruel Intentions tells of Katherine and Sebastian, step-siblings who place a wager. The wager centres on Sebastian being able to bed new girl and declared virgin, Annette Hargrove. However this bet soon becomes problematic in unexpected ways for Sebastian.

The cast for this show is exceptional and we are treated to a plethora of West End names. Sophie Isaacs was ideal as Annette with the perfect combination of innocence and confidence in her convictions. Rebecca Gilhooley played Kathryn Merteuil and she epitomised everything you would expect from Kathryn, from her seductive manner to her condescending ice queen glare. Evelyn Hoskins was Cecile Caldwell and more than anything I really enjoyed seeing her in a role where she could be funny and play up the quirkiness in the character.

The boys didn’t let the side down. With Dominic Andersen as Sebastian Valmort it was completely understandable as to how he had women falling at his feet as he managed to switch between brooding seducer and scheming villain brilliantly.

Whilst the casting is faultless other areas of the show are more questionable. The show’s plot is an iconic one, filled with rivalry and sexual tension and I was intrigued to see how the music would fit into it. The show takes some of the tracks used for the movie and then adds in other 90’s classics such as ‘Kiss Me,’ ‘No Scrubs’ and ‘Genie In A Bottle.’ Whilst the new arrangements were well developed the songs often felt shoe-horned in. At the start of several songs there were snickers of laughter as recognition of the initial refrains rippled around the audience. At times it felt like this laughter was to be embraced such as Cecile breaking out into Ace of Base as she orgasmed but other, more emotional moments, felt less clear.

Cruel Intentions is a fun night out with an exceptional cast. Expect laughs in all the right places and possibly a few of the wrong ones as well.

Cruel Intentions: The 90’s Musical is on at Palais du Variete, Assembly George Square from 20:30 – 21:45.

If you like this review you might also like my review for West End Producer, Friendscial: A Parody Musical About Friends and Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula The Sea Witch.