A standing ovation from a packed house.
The much-anticipated Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical has descended upon His Majesty Theatre as part of their 2025 United Kingdom tour, delivering a captivating spectacle to Aberdeen audiences.
The much-anticipated Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical has descended upon His Majesty Theatre as part of their 2025 United Kingdom tour, delivering a captivating spectacle to Aberdeen audiences.
This theatrical adaptation, rooted in the 1999 cinematic provocateur of the same name, melds nostalgia with contemporary flair, reaffirming its enduring resonance nearly three decades after the film's release.
From the opening overture to the final curtain, the production is suffused with an eclectic array of nineties anthems, meticulously curated to evoke the era's zeitgeist.
Audiences are treated to iconic tracks from the Spice Girls, Counting Crows, Christina Aguilera, and Deep Blue Something, culminating in the indelible strains of The Verve's Bittersweet Symphony - arguably the film's sonic signature.
From the opening overture to the final curtain, the production is suffused with an eclectic array of nineties anthems, meticulously curated to evoke the era's zeitgeist.
Audiences are treated to iconic tracks from the Spice Girls, Counting Crows, Christina Aguilera, and Deep Blue Something, culminating in the indelible strains of The Verve's Bittersweet Symphony - arguably the film's sonic signature.
This musical tapestry not only amplifies the narrative but also serves as a temporal bridge, linking the late 20th Century to the present with melodic precision.
Under the deft stewardship of directors Jonathan O'Boyle and Gary Lloyd, the production pays homage to its cinematic progenitor while carving its own theatrical identity.
Fan-favorite elements - such as the intricate interplay of seduction and betrayal - are seamlessly woven into the stagecraft, preserving the essence of Roger Kumble's original vision.
However, a notable critique emerges in the diminished prominence of Sebastian Valmont's infamous journal, a narrative linchpin in the film. Its relegation to a late-act revelation feels somewhat discordant, diluting its symbolic weight until the denouement.
It would have added to the performance if the orchestra was more visible in their Orchestra Pit in front of the stage instead of being hidden away behind the aesthetics.
The Wardrobe Department, helmed by Scott Sheady and Sophie Mai-Kemp, deserves accolades for their sartorial fidelity. Their meticulous attention to detail evokes the aesthetic of the original cast - Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Selma Blair, and Reese Witherspoon - with uncanny precision.
A standout moment is Annette Hargrove's attire during the Grand Central Terminal-inspired scene, where Abbie Budden dons a light blue ensemble that mirrors Witherspoon's iconic escalator ascent with striking verisimilitude.
This costuming triumph not only enhances visual continuity but also deepens the production's nostalgic allure, a testament to the team’s discerning eye.
The cast delivers performances of remarkable caliber, each actor embodying their role with nuanced artistry.
Nic Myers as Kathryn Merteuil is a revelation, exuding a duplicitous sophistication laced with narcissistic grandeur. Her portrayal captures the character's Machiavellian essence, rendering her both mesmerising and repellent - a true heir to Gellar's legacy.
Will Callan’s Sebastian Valmont is equally compelling, balancing libertine swagger with a poignant vulnerability that hints at his redemptive arc. His emotional transparency anchors the production's heart, offering a layered interpretation of a complex antihero.
Abbie Budden's Annette Hargrove radiates virtuosity, her resolute innocence forging a palpable chemistry with Callan's Valmont. Her performance elevates the role beyond mere archetype, infusing it with a quiet strength that resonates authentically.
Yet, it is Lucy Carter as Cecile Caldwell who emerges as the production's luminary. Her comedic virtuosity transforms the malleable ingénue into a source of unbridled hilarity, eliciting uproarious laughter from the auditorium throughout the evening. Carter's mastery of timing and physicality marks her as a standout. She stole the show.
Under the deft stewardship of directors Jonathan O'Boyle and Gary Lloyd, the production pays homage to its cinematic progenitor while carving its own theatrical identity.
Fan-favorite elements - such as the intricate interplay of seduction and betrayal - are seamlessly woven into the stagecraft, preserving the essence of Roger Kumble's original vision.
However, a notable critique emerges in the diminished prominence of Sebastian Valmont's infamous journal, a narrative linchpin in the film. Its relegation to a late-act revelation feels somewhat discordant, diluting its symbolic weight until the denouement.
It would have added to the performance if the orchestra was more visible in their Orchestra Pit in front of the stage instead of being hidden away behind the aesthetics.
The Wardrobe Department, helmed by Scott Sheady and Sophie Mai-Kemp, deserves accolades for their sartorial fidelity. Their meticulous attention to detail evokes the aesthetic of the original cast - Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Selma Blair, and Reese Witherspoon - with uncanny precision.
A standout moment is Annette Hargrove's attire during the Grand Central Terminal-inspired scene, where Abbie Budden dons a light blue ensemble that mirrors Witherspoon's iconic escalator ascent with striking verisimilitude.
This costuming triumph not only enhances visual continuity but also deepens the production's nostalgic allure, a testament to the team’s discerning eye.
The cast delivers performances of remarkable caliber, each actor embodying their role with nuanced artistry.
Nic Myers as Kathryn Merteuil is a revelation, exuding a duplicitous sophistication laced with narcissistic grandeur. Her portrayal captures the character's Machiavellian essence, rendering her both mesmerising and repellent - a true heir to Gellar's legacy.
Will Callan’s Sebastian Valmont is equally compelling, balancing libertine swagger with a poignant vulnerability that hints at his redemptive arc. His emotional transparency anchors the production's heart, offering a layered interpretation of a complex antihero.
Abbie Budden's Annette Hargrove radiates virtuosity, her resolute innocence forging a palpable chemistry with Callan's Valmont. Her performance elevates the role beyond mere archetype, infusing it with a quiet strength that resonates authentically.
Yet, it is Lucy Carter as Cecile Caldwell who emerges as the production's luminary. Her comedic virtuosity transforms the malleable ingénue into a source of unbridled hilarity, eliciting uproarious laughter from the auditorium throughout the evening. Carter's mastery of timing and physicality marks her as a standout. She stole the show.
Collectively, Myers, Callan, Budden, and Carter represent a quartet of nascent luminaries, poised to shape the future of musical theatre. Their synthesis of dramatic portrayal, vocal prowess, and choreographic finesse exemplifies the production’s high artistic standard, promising illustrious careers ahead.
A curious observation arises from the audience demographic: the presence of a substantial younger contingent, despite the show's 15+ age rating and the film's release nearly 30 years prior. This generational crossover underscores the production's timeless appeal, its themes of power, manipulation, and redemption transcending temporal boundaries. It suggests that Cruel Intentions retains a cultural vitality, captivating today's youth as it once did their predecessors, with every indication that its legacy will endure.
For those seeking an evening steeped in nineties nostalgia, Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical is an unequivocal triumph.
A near-perfect blend of nostalgia and theatrical innovation, tempered only by minor narrative missteps.
A curious observation arises from the audience demographic: the presence of a substantial younger contingent, despite the show's 15+ age rating and the film's release nearly 30 years prior. This generational crossover underscores the production's timeless appeal, its themes of power, manipulation, and redemption transcending temporal boundaries. It suggests that Cruel Intentions retains a cultural vitality, captivating today's youth as it once did their predecessors, with every indication that its legacy will endure.
For those seeking an evening steeped in nineties nostalgia, Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical is an unequivocal triumph.
A near-perfect blend of nostalgia and theatrical innovation, tempered only by minor narrative missteps.
Post-performance, I was fortunate to meet Will Callan, Abbie Budden, and Luke Conner Hall - an encounter that heightened the evening's delight. Regrettably, Nic Myers and Lucy Carter eluded my grasp (and who could blame them, even I would dodge myself if it was humanly possible); a selfie with these luminaries would have been a cherished memento.
Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical graces Aberdeen until Saturday 12 April 2025, before advancing to New Theatre in Oxford from Tuesday 15 April 2025.
For further details, visit CruelMusical.co.uk.
STAR RATING: ★★★★☆
A nostalgic triumph and a nineties jukebox juggernaut.
Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical graces Aberdeen until Saturday 12 April 2025, before advancing to New Theatre in Oxford from Tuesday 15 April 2025.
For further details, visit CruelMusical.co.uk.
STAR RATING: ★★★★☆
A nostalgic triumph and a nineties jukebox juggernaut.
A final thought before I bow out of my review.
Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical, are you in or are you out?
Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical, are you in or are you out?
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