The New Wimbledon Theatre is transporting audiences back to the Upper East Side of New York in 1999 with its production of Cruel Intentions.
It’s naughty, it’s salacious, and it’s downright machiavellian.
Based on the cult 90s classic film of the same name, starring blockbuster heartthrobs Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillipe, Cruel Intentions tells the story of two twisted step siblings.
Cocaine-snorting Kathryn (Nic Myers) and wily Sebastian’s (Will Callan) gold-digging mother and alcoholic father are on holiday in Bali, leaving the sinister pair alone to scheme.
They hatch a plan to ruin the virginal purity of good-girl Annette (Abbie Budden) and naive Cecile (Lucy Carter).
Carter said: “From the moment go, we are inviting the audience in to join our games and fun.”
The plot is derived from the scandalous 18th Century French novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses, a book which was condemned in court for its immorality, and subsequently banned, but has stayed relevant for its sharp takes on upper class society.
Budden spoke of how the shocking elements of the script, would equally appal audiences of 1999 and 2025.
She said: “The theme of the dark side of privilege is even more painfully true now than it was back then.”
The main selling point of the show – or perhaps to some, its biggest drawback – is the 90s jukebox soundtrack featuring musical stars such as the Spice Girls, Ricky Martin and Natalie Imbruglia.
When Cecile’s Mother, Mrs Caldwell (Gabriella Williams), finds out her daughter is dating her black cello teacher, Ronald (Kevin Yates), she sings TLC’s iconic No Scrubs, chanting: “A scrub is a guy who can’t get no love from Cee”.
Kathryn teaches Cecile to make out to Sixpence None The Richer’s Kiss Me, a heartbroken Sebastian croons Goo Goo Dolls’ Iris, and Cecile discovers she has had her first orgasm to Ace of Base’s lyrics: “I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes”.
The first line of each song was often met with a roar of laughter as the audience realised what nineties anthem was coming to soundtrack the latest plot development.
NSYNC’s Bye Bye Bye was especially warmly received, used in the break-up scene of two of the evening’s most popular characters Blaine (Luke Connor Hall) and Greg (Joe Simmons).
While I relished the opportunity to hear so many 90s hits, at times they came too close together and did not allow the dialogue enough time to set up each song.
Jonathan O’Boyle’s direction was polished, and Gary Lloyd’s choreography was energetic.
The two levelled set nicely makes use of the stage. but the stock-image New York skyline did slightly cheapen the production’s feel.
Go see Cruel Intentions if you are a 90s baby ready to revel in an evening of camp and nostalgia, and perhaps stay home if you are more inclined to more high-brow, serious and sensible theatre.
Cruel Intentions is playing at The New Wimbledon Theatre until Saturday 1 March, or you can catch this deliciously devilish show all around the country until the end of June.
Picture credit: Pamela Raith
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