Invited| Review by Stephen Stokoe
Les Liaisons Dangereuses has seen many iterations since the four volume novel by Pierre Choderlos De Laclos was published in 1782. There have been ballets, operas, Oscar winning movies and plays all devoted to the amoral goings on between the Mertuils and the Valmonts. This musical version sees the characters as spoilt rich step-siblings hell bent on destroying themselves and all those around them with their hedonistic and overtly sexual behaviour and desires.
It is based on the Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillipe movie which premiered in 1999 and, for the most part, follows the same script almost word for word. The difference with this musical version is that popular songs from the 90’s which coincide with the story sometimes thematically but mainly for humorous effect. The audience loved this this evening as they recognised the songs as they begin or, in some cases, anticipated their almost inevitable arrival. This very much added to the fun of the production.
For the benefit of anyone who does not know the story, it concerns school body president Katherine Merteuil (Nic Myers) and her ethical questionable relationship and rivalry with her step-brother, the equally morally corrupt Sebastian Valmont (Will Callan) as they battle for supremacy in the popularity stakes while generally destroying the lives and reputations of anyone unfortunate to stumble into their sights.
Of the cult movie which also starred Selma Blaine, Joshua Jackson and Reese Witherspoon, there are various memorable elements which have to be included such as the swimming pool scene, the outing of the naive and unfortunate jock Greg McConnell (Kevin Yates) and Dr Greenbaum (Gabriella Williams) the Psychiatrist’s office scene which introduces the audience to the lascivious and duplicitous nature of Sebastian at the start of the show. All of these, and a whole lot more are supplied most satisfactorily in this production.
When we first meet Katherine she has been dumped by her boyfriend and vows revenge, not on him, as that would reflect back on her, but on the sweet and innocent girl he dumped her for, namely Cecile Caldwell (Lucy Carter) and enlist the assistance of Sebastian to deflower and ultimately ruin her reputation. Sebastian, for his part, has his sights set on the virtuous and glamorous Annette Hargrove (Abbie Budden) who has vowed to eschew pre-marital sex and is also the incoming headmaster’s daughter.
Katherine wages her own body against Sebastian achieving his sordid ambition before school starts following the summer recess. And so the games begin.
The staging (Polly Sullivan) for this production is simple but effective with the majority of the action taking place within the homes of the various characters. The cast work diligently bringing on, and in some cases dropping various props onto the set to change the feel. The Cruel Intentions band (Will Joy (M.D.), Nick Rees (guitars), Tom Sansbury (Bass), and Adam ‘Twenny’ Sheffield (Drums) are to be found up a height playing out some banging numbers to terrific effect. The costume design (also Polly Sullivan) is outstandingly accurate for all the characters. Aside from the cracking score the lighting (Nick Richings) brings this jukebox musical to life visually.
When I heard that this musical was being released, I took myself down to The Other Palace in Victoria, London to see it. What strikes me on this UK tour version is that there is a great deal more emphasis on the humour of the piece and this really works for me. It certainly does not take itself too seriously. The Caldwells, the afore-mentioned Cecile and her mother Bunny carry this off in ludicrous but hilarious fashion and Luke Connor Hall is exquisitely camp as resident gay Blaine Tuttle who gets an extended outing (pun totally intended) in this production to the bit part Joshua Jackson gets in the movie on which it is based.
This production is subtitled ‘The ‘90s Musical and it certainly delivers on that. With hits such as Livin’ La Vida Loca to kick off proceedings we travel through a veritable treasure trove including Genie in a Bottle, Kiss Me, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Torn, Losing my religion before concluding with the mandatory Bitter Sweet Symphony which also closed the movie. There are some impressive vocals from all the cast in this production and the choreography (Gary Lloyd and performed by the ensemble and cast) adds to the spectacle.
The main characters have some weighty boots to fill and Callan is every bit the suave and smarmy Sebastian you would want to lust after and hate. Myers picks up the Sarah Michelle Gellar character effortlessly. Budden is gorgeous and serene as the pious Reese Witherspoon character but my stars of the show have to go to twice mother and daughter team Bunny and Cecile Caldwell and Dr and Marci Greenbaum – Lucy Carter and Gabriella Williams who never stopped making me smile and laugh.
This story deals with some weighty topics such as racism, homophobia, body dysmorphia, drug abuse, sexual consent, and there is more than a little explicit language even before the ‘curtain’ goes up and the tone reflects the language of the ‘90s but in this production, more so than the film, the emphasis is more on the ludicrous than the intentionally sensational.
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Cruel Intentions and, dare I say it, more than I did the west end production and a quick mention to the sizeable audience at Darlington Hippodrome who behaved impeccably this evening by whooping when it was perfectly acceptable to whoop and not signing along even though the majority knew the words of the soundtrack to the ‘90s.
Cruel Intentions The ‘90s Musical plays as Darlington Hippodrome until Saturday 24th May and is great fun from the tongue in cheek opening announcement to the ’90s megamix at the end.