Review | Cruel Intentions | Manchester Palace Theatre | 25/03/2025
- Jonathan Rawlinson
- Mar 26
- 2 min read
The 1999 cult classic film Cruel Intentions is known for its dark and controversial themes, dividing audiences at the time, and this musical adaptation will likely split opinion too. When Kathryn (Nic Myers) bets her stepbrother Sebastian (Will Callan) that he can’t seduce the headmaster’s daughter Annette (Abbie Budden), he is determined to win. Not just because if he loses, he will lose his prized Jaguar, but if he wins, he will win Kathryn!
The score delivers everything you could want and more, jampacked with iconic ‘90s bangers. From unapologetic pop classics like ‘Wannabe’ to indie anthems like ‘Bittersweet Symphony’, there really is something for everyone. While the music doesn’t necessarily drive the story with the sharpness of jukebox musicals like ‘& Juliet’, it’s still entertaining enough to hold your attention. That said, it almost as if there’s too much packed in to the two hour show.
When songs come in quick succession of each other, it feels like an attempt to compensate for the show’s arguably weak book. While the narrative is thin, this isn’t the scripts main issue. With countless gay slurs thrown in for comedic effect, the humour felt cheap, and at worst offensive to a modern audience. Moments that tackle race are similarly uncomfortable and feel unnecessary for telling the story.
Ultimately it is a show of two halves, with the first veering into parody, while the second act shifts to a more dramatic tone. To fully appreciate the first act for what it is, you need to be at least familiar with the film already. Whilst much of the audience will admittedly be die-hard fans, many won’t, which will inevitably cause a disconnect in the first act. It is in the latter half where the show really picks up, when certain characters are given more depth.
Will Callan in particular steals the show as the 'bad boy' Sebastian Valmont. He strikes the perfect balance between charm and menace, making Sebastian feel dangerously believable in an otherwise admittedly far-fetched show. His rendition of ‘Iris’ is a real standout moment, he commands your attention with powerful yet effortlessly smooth vocals. If the other characters had been developed with the same depth, the show could have been elevated to something much more interesting.
Cruel Intentions is on at Manchester Palace Theatre until Saturday, 29 March 2025.
Note: My ticket was gifted. Irrespective of whether a show is gifted or bought, I always ensure that my reviews are fair and based on my honest opinion alone.