Five stars for the entertainment value

Press tickets for review

Now, is Cruel Intentions the best show I’ve ever seen with an impressive set and an incredibly stunning performance? No. But was it a show that had me creasing? Yes. Was it a show that was so entertaining that the time flew by? Also yes. And for me, sometimes that is more than enough to be 5 star entertainment, and that’s what Cruel Intentions is.

If you’ve scrolled on TikTok for longer than 5 minutes ever, you’ll have come across Kiss Me and Just A Girl trending, and both of these 90’s bangers are blended into the storyline. With non-stop 90’s hits, the show flies by. Some of my favourite songs ever are weaved carefully into the jukebox musical and I ATE IT UP. Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Bye Bye Bye, Genie in a Bottle, Iris, and Bittersweet Symphony all in the same musical? Incredible. Granted, they don’t always fit and they don’t make a lot of sense. But, I’m here for it anyway.

The show is centred around the movie of the same name, and follows the story of step-siblings Kathryn and Sebastian who are quite simply awful people, perhaps in another world we might get to see the further depths of why they are like they are, but there’s very little backstory given outside of a few passing comments that they both like sex but one is condoned for being a woman, and a subtle adverse childhood trauma comment where domestic abuse occurs in the household.

Whether you love or hate cruel intentions is based on whether you want the sort of shoe that explores the deeper reasons or whether you just want a night out of camp entertainment. Now, this was the kind of week where I just needed the latter so it was very timely!

Will Callan is a brilliant depiction of Sebastian. He embodies cocky and confident and slowly transitions to complex and confused. He manages to summon a Chuck Bass style performance which I instantly connected with. His performance of Iris was also astounding. Luke Conner Hall is also a highlight as Blaine Tuttle. He is comical with strong vocals and excellent eye acting and mannerisms. Meanwhile Lucy Carter is awesome as Cecile, you certainly won’t forget her rendition of “I’ll Make Love to You”. Abbie Budden has incredible vocals and brings the role of Annette to life with ease.

The show doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s heavy sex scenes, without showing skin, there’s innuendos left right and centre, and there’s strong language and lots of drugs. It’s a show that’s certainly not for the prudes.

Cruel Intentions is a cheesy night out, and if you take it for what it is then you’re certainly in for a night of entertainment. This is a show for the cheese jukebox musicals fans for sure!

On at Royal and Derngate until 22 March 2025

On U.K. Tour until June 2025