‘90s musical of lust, lies and killer hits rocks Torquay

Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical is a raunchy, seductive jukebox show that is packed with bawdy humour and a soundtrack overflowing with iconic killer hits from the era.

Set in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the story revolves around the manipulative toxic twosome, step-siblings Kathryn and Sebastian.

The show focuses on a wager between the pair: whether Sebastian can seduce the virtuous new girl in town, Annette.

What begins as a heartless bet soon spirals into something far more complicated, as Sebastian finds himself caught between deception and genuine love for Annette.

This is not a show for prudes or the faint-hearted – sexual references, innuendos, risqué humour, and provocative themes are woven throughout - but when taken at face value, Cruel Intentions is an unapologetically entertaining show.

Leads Nic Myers and Will Callan are perfectly cast as the scheming Kathryn and seductive Sebastian.

Myers exudes confidence and venomous charm, delivering a vocally outstanding performance as the ruthless femme fatale.

Callan is captivating as the conflicted Casanova, balancing arrogance with vulnerability as Sebastian's conscience begins to stir.

Abbie Budden brings warmth and sincerity to Annette. Meanwhile, Lucy Carter is just a joy to watch on stage as Cecile, injecting much of the show’s levity.

What truly elevates Cruel Intentions is the perfect 90s back catalogue. From *NSYNC’s Bye, Bye, Bye to The Verve’s Bitter Sweet Symphony, every number is a ‘90s hit that keeps the audience locked in from start to finish.

That said, the show may benefit from trimming a couple of songs in favour of deeper character development through more dialogue.

Visually, the production impresses with sleek set transitions - from opulent homes to subway stations - each space cleverly crafted to support the story's pace and tone.

At its heart, Cruel Intentions is a tale of deception, lust, and manipulation. It’s a wild, high-energy ride that theatre fans won’t want to miss.

It runs at the Princess Theatre, Torquay, until June 14.