Cruel Intentions, the new musical currently showing at The Other Palace, is an adaptation of the 1999 film featuring Sarah Michelle Gellar.

I must confess that I have never had the opportunity to watch the movie Cruel Intentions personally, or if I did, I cannot recall it. So I approached the experience with no expectations or basis for comparison. This lack of familiarity can sometimes be advantageous when attending a musical adaptation of a popular movie to avoid disappointment.

I have witnessed musical adaptations of films I’ve know and loved in the past and unfortunately, not all of them met my expectations. Transforming a movie into a musical is a challenging endeavor, as live theater and filmmaking belong to distinct genres, making the adaptation process quite arduous.
Regardless Film adaptations are undeniably gaining popularity and are a reliable choice among audiences who appreciate musicals.

This particular adaptation of cruel intentions serves as a straightforward jukebox musical that showcases numerous 90s classics like “Genie in a Bottle,” “Torn,” “Kiss Me,” and “Bye Bye Bye,” among others. It guarantees a delightful evening for hen parties, friend groups, or anyone who appreciates the 90s.

The production does not aim to be groundbreaking or receive accolades for originality. Instead, it offers a lighthearted and enjoyable night out, serving as a perfect remedy for the January blues.

It is advisable to have some understanding of the plot beforehand, as the story becomes challenging to follow due to a lack of clear direction. The script gets overshadowed by the abundance of songs, often leaving little dialogue between musical numbers. Additionally, in most songs, only the opening line holds relevance to the plot, while the rest of the song adds to the confusion.

The cast members are undeniably skilled and putting in a tremendous amount of effort. The most remarkable performance of the evening was delivered by Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky, who portrays Kathryn Merteuil. She displayed a delightful sense of humour, charm, and her singing abilities alone were worth the price of admission! Her rendition of “Kathryn’s turn” in the second act was the highlight of the show, and she is definitely someone to keep an eye on in the future. Additionally, Josh Barnett portrayed the character of “Blaine Tuttle” flawlessly, showcasing impeccable comedic timing and a deep understanding of how the role should be executed.

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