Last Friday night at the Birmingham Hippodrome, we were catapulted straight into the seductive chaos of the late ’90s, as Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical brought drama, nostalgia, and sheer theatrical brilliance to the stage. It ran in Birmingham from 3 to 7 June as part of its 2025 UK & Ireland tour, brought to the stage by Bill Kenwright Ltd Productions, and we caught the performance on Friday 6 June. The show left the audience in the theatre utterly obsessed. So much so, that we already know we’ll be seeing it again. Honestly, we wouldn’t be surprised if this ends up West End-bound.
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From its sizzling storyline and devilishly charming characters to a powerhouse cast and a soundtrack packed with the ultimate throwback bangers, Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical is exactly the kind of theatre we live for—bold, unapologetic, and irresistibly fun.
Our full breakdown of Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical:
A Fresh Spin on a Twisted Classic
Going in, we weren’t entirely sure what to expect. It’s been about eight years since we last watched the original Cruel Intentions movie—the iconic 1999 teen drama starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, and Selma Blair. We remembered the twisted yet flirty dynamic between Kathryn and Sebastian, their scheming against sweet Cecile, and of course, the unforgettable (and rather progressive for its time) kiss between Kathryn and Cecile. But the finer plot points? A little hazy.
🎬 Buy Cruel Intentions 1999 Film:
Relive the nostalgic film with Sarah Michelle Gellar
What we did remember, however, was that the film was a whirlwind of manipulation, seduction, and emotional chaos, so imagine our excitement when we realised the stage adaptation had reimagined all that drama and laced it with 24 of the biggest pop songs from the 1990s.
The result? A mashup of drama and nostalgia that works so well, that it feels like it always belonged on stage.
A Stand-Out Cast That Slays
Let’s talk about the performances. This cast? They did not come to play.
Nic Myers, as Kathryn Merteuil, is an absolute powerhouse. From the moment she stepped on stage, we were blown away. Myers channels Sarah Michelle Gellar’s original portrayal with such precision that it almost felt like we were watching the film play out in real-time. Her stage presence is magnetic—every flick of her hair, every devilish smirk, every perfectly-timed pause, every single strut oozed confidence, menace, and power. Add in crystal-clear vocals that projected all the way to the back of the theatre and elevated every number she touched, and she’s got star quality in spades.
Will Callan, as the dangerously charming Sebastian Valmont, more than held his own alongside her. He nailed the brooding antihero energy, delivering a character you hate to love and love to hate. His voice was rich and emotive, and his chemistry with both Kathryn and Annette (played by Abbie Budden) was palpable. Oh, and then there’s the sauna scene. Let’s just say he wasn’t afraid to bare all in the name of art, and the audience certainly appreciated it!
Budden’s Annette brings a sweet sincerity to the chaos, offering a moral centre amid the manipulation. Her resistance to Sebastian’s tricks, at least initially, gave the audience something to root for, and her voice is gorgeous. She brought softness, strength, and soul to the stage, especially during her musical moments.
Queer Representation That Steals the Spotlight
We have to give a major shoutout to Luke Conner Hall, who plays Blaine Tuttle. He absolutely steals every scene he’s in with his flamboyant flair, comedic timing, and total confidence. Blaine is unapologetically queer, and Hall brings that to life in such a joyful, scene-stealing way that we found ourselves buzzing every time he returned to the stage. LGBTQ+ representation is more important than ever, and seeing it delivered with this much pride and energy is something we’ll never stop celebrating.
His scenes with Joe Simmons as Greg McConnell (a closeted American footballer) added a layer of depth to the show that we didn’t expect but really appreciated. Their hidden romance was equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking; and yes, we only just realised they were characters in the original film too! (How did we forget that Greg was played by Ugly Betty star Eric Mabius? We’re clearly overdue for a rewatch.)
And of course, we can’t talk about queerness in Cruel Intentions without mentioning that kiss—you know the one. As Kathryn sets up the infamous picnic scene, the stage practically sizzles with anticipation. Then, under the sweet sounds of “Kiss Me”, the moment explodes into a full-on snog between Kathryn and Cecile (played by Lucy Carter). It’s playful, bold, and completely unmissable so much so that the spotlights zone in on the kiss. It’s one of the most iconic scenes from the original film, and the musical doesn’t hold back, turning it into yet another unforgettable moment that balances cheeky nostalgia with a powerful presence.
These queer moments weren’t just tokenistic either, they added to the fabric of the show and made it feel fresh, inclusive, and very 2025.
📺 Watch the Cruel Intentions TV Series:
Released in 2024, the 8 episode TV show reimagined the film
Music That Hits All the Right Notes
The heartbeat of this show is undoubtedly its soundtrack. This is no ordinary jukebox musical, it’s a love letter to the ’90s. With classics from Britney Spears, TLC, *NSYNC, Christina Aguilera, Boyz II Men, Natalie Imbruglia, Ace of Base, and even No Doubt, every number is iconic in its own right.
But what really works is how seamlessly these songs are woven into the narrative. They’re not random interludes, they serve the story, albeit sometimes completely comical. Whether it’s a sultry seduction, a moment of inner turmoil, or a full-blown power anthem, the music lands every single time.
From the start, we were singing along under our breath, clapping to the beat, and soaking in every nostalgic note like it was 1999 all over again.
Here’s the full soundtrack from Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical UK Tour:
Act I:
- Placebo – Every You, Every Me
- Ricky Martin – Livin’ La Vida Loca
- Melissa Etheridge – I’m The Only One
- Christina Aguilera – Genie in a Bottle
- No Doubt – Just a Girl
- Backstreet Boys – I Want It That Way
- Spice Girls – Wannabe
- Sixpence None The Richer – Kiss Me
- The Cardigans – Lovefool
- Marcy Playground – Sex & Candy
- *NSYNC – Bye Bye Bye
- Deep Blue Something – Breakfast at Tiffany’s
- TLC – No Scrubs
- Garbage – Only Happy When It Rains
Act II:
- Ace of Base – The Sign
- TLC – No Scrubs (Reprise)
- Paula Cole – I Don’t Want To Wait
- Boyz II Men – I’ll Make Love to You
- Natalie Imbruglia – Torn
- Britney Spears – Sometimes
- Counting Crows – Colorblind
- No Doubt – Sunday Morning
- The Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
- Jewel – Foolish Games
- Meredith Brooks – Bitch
- R.E.M. – Losing My Religion
- The Verve – Bitter Sweet Symphony
There’s No Doubt about it, Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical had us hooked from the moment we saw The Sign. What started out feeling like a nostalgic Placebo turned into something so real, it had us spiralling through Foolish Games and craving Sex & Candy with every plot twist. The story was pure Bitter Sweet Symphony, balancing sass, scandal, and seduction with Jewel-like precision. We watched secrets unravel over Breakfast at Tiffany’s, flirtations fly with a side of Kiss Me, and emotional chaos that left us Torn.
Sometimes, we found ourselves lost in the drama, and honestly, we Wanted It That Way. We laughed, gasped, and clung to every Sunday Morning moment, living for the twists that left us feeling delightfully Colorblind to everything beyond the stage. Kathryn brought the confidence, the chaos, and the cunning, and we were fully here for her being unapologetically a Bitch in the best possible way. There were absolutely No Scrubs, just powerhouse performances and theatre that made us feel like total Lovefools in all the right ways. This show didn’t just bottle nostalgia—it popped the Genie in a Bottle and unleashed pure ’90s magic.
Stunning Staging, Direction, and Creative Vision
The creative team behind Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical deserves a standing ovation of their own. Under the direction of Jonathan O’Boyle, the show is tight, polished, and filled with clever choices. The choreography by Gary Lloyd injects the perfect mix of sass and sultriness, giving the cast room to shine during both the high-energy numbers and more intimate moments.
The set and costume design, led by Polly Sullivan, strike a gorgeous balance between contemporary theatrical flair and retro vibes. Think luxe private schools, steamy saunas, glittery school dances, and moody lighting that evokes that perfect teenage angst. Nick Richings’ lighting design adds a cinematic sheen, and Chris Whybrow’s sound design ensures you feel every beat in your bones.
Also, shoutout to Rebecca Reaney, the intimacy coordinator, because this show leans into the sensuality of the story without ever crossing the line. It’s tastefully provocative, and that’s not easy to pull off.
Final Verdict: Go. See. It. Now.
We came into Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical not knowing what to expect, and we left absolutely obsessed. It’s the perfect mix of nostalgia, naughtiness, and non-stop entertainment. The storyline is juicy, the cast is exceptional, the music is iconic, and the whole production feels like a celebration of ’90s pop culture wrapped in a slick, sexy, modern musical.
If you loved the original film, this stage version will blow you away. If you’ve never seen the film, it honestly doesn’t matter, you’ll still have the time of your life. Whether you’re reliving your teenage years or just vibing with the ’90s revival trend, this is the ultimate feel-good night out.
We’re not kidding when we say we’d go see it again.
Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical is currently touring across the UK & Ireland. Upcoming stops include:
- Torquay – Princess Theatre (10–14 June)
- Brighton – Theatre Royal (24–28 June)
Trust us! Grab your tickets, bring your besties, and prepare to fall in love with the ’90s all over again.
Tickets are available from the respective theatre venues as well as various ticket sites such as ATG.