Cruel Intentions – New Theatre Oxford

For those in the network who don’t know the New Theatre, where have you been? Oxford has been blessed with this large entertainment venue since 1934, and we regularly get internationally renowned music artists, musicals, plays, dance, opera and comedians and personalities, treading our local boards!

The variety of entertainment the New Theatre provides our area and beyond is exceptional.

Over the years, the New Theatre has been through various refurbishments and the current venue has some great areas for socialising before a show and during the interval. I always head straight to the piano bar downstairs, where there is always a welcome and plenty of atmosphere.

And what of this show? I went with a friend, and we both had a great night out. Lots of foot-tapping songs we remembered from the 90’s, most of which fitted into the plot of this musical well. And all performed brilliantly by the very talented cast.

The show itself is created by Jordan Ross, Lindsey Rosin and Roger Kumble. The musical is based on the original hit film by Roger Kumble and originally produced by Eva Price.  That film itself, is based on the award winning film Dangerous Liaisons, which in turn was based on Christopher Hampton’s award winning play Les Liaisons Dangereuses. So a great pedigree.

This is a ‘jukebox musical’ so lots of songs we know. It is packed with ‘90s pop classics including the songs of Britney Spears, Boyz II Men, Christina Aguilera, TLC, R.E.M., Ace of Base, Natalie Imbruglia, The Verve, NSYNC and many more! The show features some of the decade’s best songs and is the ultimate ‘90s night out.

Anyone who has seen the films or play will know the story. This update involves Step siblings Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil who engage in a cruel bet: Kathryn goads Sebastian into attempting to seduce Annette Hargrove, the headmaster’s virtuous daughter.

Their wicked plan wreaks havoc on the students at their exclusive Manhattan high school. It’s not long before the duo become entangled in their own web of deception and unexpected romance, with explosive results.

The cast are extremely talented.  There are some great pop and rock vocals on display in this show. Special mention must go to Nic Myers and Will Callan who play the dastardly duo Kathryn and Sebastian. I recently saw Nic Myers in White Christmas at the Mill at Sonning, and the contrast between these two roles and her performances in both shows is striking! She clearly has a great career in front of her.

The pairing (or sometimes, otherwise!) with Will as Sebastian is a good one. There are times when they positively spit with sexual chemistry and others when you feel the real enmity and mutual manipulation between them. And all the time belting out those tunes!

As for the rest of the cast, I would also single out Garbielle Williams (who I also saw with Nic in White Christmas!) and Kevin Yates, but in truth there was not a weak link. On this week’s Press Night, we also saw understudy Olivia Brookes playing the part of Annette Hargrove, and you could not tell. She was very good.

The staging was effective. I liked the seductively elegant black leather chaise lounge, which gave lovely echoes to the source material, along with the opulent crystal chandeliers and simple set design. The costumes all looked spot on as well, from the power dressing suits and miniskirts from the 90’s to the preppy school uniform on display in the final scene.

If I have a criticism, it is of the piece itself. Where the original play and film succeeded, it feels that the modern adaptation itself now feels a little dated. Some of the themes for modern audiences are now difficult, and there is also a lot of swearing. Also, the central characters are essentially very unpleasant! 

But for a night out, and some time to escape the day job, it was a great night out at the theatre.  If you want to return to those heady 90’s days, get yourself to the New Theatre before the end of this week!

Book tickets here: www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford/