LES Liaisons Dangereuses is sensuous, beautiful and witty.
And like the characters it portrays, it is both dangerous and attractive.
Set in France’s 18th century royal court, it follows the unholy alliance of the scheming Marquise de Merteuil, and her willing partner in moral crime, The Vicomte de Valmont.
Petty jealousy, idle gossip and boredom are the currency of this aristocratic community.
The pair, bound by a cruel love of pleasure and intrigue, amuse themselves, and each other, by casually ruining the lives of those around them in a series of competitive romantic conquests.
Director, Rachel Pearson says: “People probably remember the 1988 film, when John Malkovich played Valmont and Glenn Close was the Marquise.
“The film was very dark, but the play, which was written first, is surprisingly funny.
“And watching two people at the top of their game is really fascinating.
“The beautiful dialogue, the smart wordplay, and the constant one-upmanship is enthralling.
“The pair manage to be both petty and pithy in the same breath.”
The production remains faithful to the period, with elaborate 18th century costumes being handmade and the beginnings of a gilt French chateau already appearing on stage, a few weeks prior to opening night.
As the play unfolds, the scheming pair gradually begin to fall victim to their own web of lies, revenge and deceit.
Love, initially the tool they use to control and destroy others, returns to blow kisses of death, as passions rise and Cupid’s arrows find their mark.
Have there been any special challenges with mounting this production?
“There’s the swordfighting,” says Rachel.
“It’s not been a challenge as such, but we’ve had to employ a professionally trained fencing expert to make sure everything is done, well and safely.
“And there are also, as you can imagine, some intimate scenes between actors.
“But the cast is brilliant, and they’ve dealt with this carefully and professionally.
“The scenes are sexy and sensual, but they are not explicit, and they’re comfortable to watch – there’s nothing shocking.”
Caroline Loveys, who portrays the Marquise, says: “She’s complicated.
“In a way, although she is vile and scheming, she’s playing the game in the only way she knows how – she’s a woman in a man’s world.”
The play is based on a novel by Choderlos de Laclos, which in 1782 shocked the world.
Christopher Hampton’s adaptation two hundred years later won the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best New Play.
Rachel continues: “It’s set at a time when French society life was collapsing, and the country was on the verge of revolution.
“The aristocracy was running on gossip, sarcasm and irony, and money was being spent on finery, not on real people.”
No wonder, then, that moral outrage was about to peak, and heads would soon be rolling.
Les Liaisons is likely to delight and unseat in equal measures.
It can be seen at Wokingham Theatre, on Twyford Road.
It runs from Thursday, October 20 through to Saturday, October 29, with the exception of Sunday.
Performances start at 7.45pm.
Tickets cost £15.
For tickets and information visit: wokinghamtheatre.org.ukor call the box office on: 0118 978 5363.
