“Care to make a wager?”

The cruelly iconic 90’s classic, Cruel Intentions, has taken on a new lease of life on stage and it’s now at the Wales Millennium Centre. 

Temptation, deception and unexpected devotion…all the things you loved about the original film is now on stage and this time it’s jam packed with your favourite 90’s hits. 

The story follows step-siblings Sebastian Valmont, portrayed by Will Callan, and Kathryn Merteuil, portrayed by Nic Myers, who decide to make a cruel wager: Sebastian must seduce the headmaster’s virtuous, clean cut daughter Annette Hargrove (portrayed by Abbie Budden) before school starts. If Kathryn wins, she gets his vintage sports car and if Sebastian wins…he gets Kathryn. But what starts out as a fun game for them both, quickly turns on its head as Sebastian finds himself feeling things he never thought he could. 

It’s never easy stepping into the shoes of such legendary characters but each member of the cast did not disappoint. Will Callan as Sebastian was particularly impressive, bringing us that devilish charm and winning over the audience. Nic Myers is deliciously twisted as Kathryn, bringing her infamous wickedness to life on stage and wowing the audience with her powerful vocals, especially in her rendition of songs such as ‘Only Happy When It Rains’ and ‘Genie In A Bottle’. And capping off the trio is Abbie Budden as Annette Hargrove who gave us her own version of the character and delivered a high energy performance.

Lucy Carter as Cecile Caldwell (and Marci Greenbaum) brings a hilariously cooky energy to the role and quickly won the hearts of the audience. And the rest of the cast, Luke Connor Hall as Blaine Tuttle, Joe Simmons as Greg McConnell, Gabriella Williams as Mrs Bunny Caldwell (and Dr Greenbaum), Kevin Yates as Ronald Clifford, as well as, Olivia Brookes, Ben Fenwick, Sophie Hutchinson and Onuri Smith, were brilliant.

This musical promises 90’s pop classics and it surely delivered. With songs such as ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’, ‘Kiss Me’, ‘Just A Girl’, ‘Lovefool’, ‘Sex & Candy’, ‘Bye Bye Bye’, ‘I’ll Make Love To You’, ‘I’ll Make Love To You’ and many, many more! 

And hats have to go off to the set designer of this show. It was truly magnificent. Setting the stage of the Kathryn and Sebastian’s grand home, with stunning levelled balconies that housed the band and coupled with the creative lighting design really pulled the audience into the show and was a wonder to watch. 

This raunchy, funny and tremendously entertaining show is the 90’s night out we all need! 

Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical will be at the Wales Millennium Centre until the 31st May and tickets are selling out fast so make sure to get yours now! 

Find out more about Cruel Intentions UK Tour on their website, Facebook and Instagram.

And keep up to date on everything going on at the Wales Millennium Centre on their website, Facebook and Instagram.

All photos credits to Pamela Raith