REVIEW: Cruel Intentions – The 90s Musical
Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical is a new show for theatregoers who would like to attend a musical which is completely different from conventional theatre – a musical unlike anything they have ever seen performed in Sydney.
This is a jukebox musical based on the 90s hit teen romantic film by the same name. The story delves into the lives of two wealthy high school teenagers in New York and a pact they have made. Kathryn (Kirby Burgess) has asked her step-brother Sebastian (Drew Weston) to seduce a particular young lady. If he fails, she gets his vintage Jaguar. If he succeeds, she will have sexual relations with him. But can womaniser Sebastian succeed or will the love he feels for his ‘victim’ cause him to relinquish any unscrupulous power games?
And so, the deceitful games commence!
Quite a unique production there are many other sub-plots concerning romantic entanglements, drugs, discrimination, and a gay relationship. There’s an abundance of sexual innuendos – actually no innuendos as the nudity and sexual content unashamedly leave nothing to the imagination!
Deliciously wicked and incredibly risqué this musical incorporates iconic songs from the 90s to aid in the storytelling. Music from popular artists including Natalie Imbruglia, Christina Aguilera, The Backstreet Boys, Melissa Etheridge, Ace Of Base and Britney Spears.
Darkly comic and outrageously funny at times audiences may be forgiven for thinking this musical is actually a parody of the hit film. There are several over the top characterisations and storylines so extreme that at times it feels like an American daytime soapy performed as a musical on stage.
Drew Weston and Kirby Burgess are naturals in the pivotal roles of the scheming Sebastian and Kathryn, the step-siblings, who are spoilt, immoral and merciless in their regard to other people’s feelings.
Quirky, sexy, seductive, and very silly this is a dazzling production with an inventive set design. The music is loud, and audiences may find themselves toe-tapping to the music and feel like getting up and dancing in the aisles. But be warned! This musical is for open-minded audiences and is definitely not suitable for puritans!
For audiences who lived the 90s this musical is a nostalgic trip down memory lane and for everyone else, they’ll wish they had lived the 90s!
