Cruel Intentions is a teenage version of
the classical French ‘Les Liasons Dangeruses’ by Laclos, which
was later made in to a cult film also called ‘Cruel Intentions’.
The action has been transferred to a contemporary private American
College and it shows what could happen when people are idle, rich,
amoral and decadent.
The handsome, rich and confident Sebastian
(Jake Mann) is bored with being able to seduce any girl he wants.
His step-sister Katherine (Elle Massie) is a complete control-freak
capable of twisting anyone in to doing her will. Katherine
challenges her step-brother to seduce ice-maiden Annette (Steffi
Turbin). Annette and her boyfriend Trevor (Dan Tiplady) have sworn
to stay chased until after they are married but when both Sebastian
and Annette fall in love with each other, Katherine finds herself
spiralling out of control. With the help of Ronald (Rob Hughes) the
music teacher and one of Katherine's lovers and Jefferson (Gabriel
Balfe), the new kid on the block, striving to be king of the castle
and more than willing to become Katherine's slave. Katherine is
partly responsible for the tragic demise of Sebastian and once again
able to take her place as puppet mistress.
This show is beautifully written, directed
and performed, although for me Jake Mann as Sebastian was lacking in
some of the supposed attraction he was meant to have.
****
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