Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Lesley Manville and Aidan Turner play the charismatic dissolute and scheming villains who toy with love and lust in their struggle for power in this gorgeous adaptation by Marianne Elliott   

Marquise de Merteuil (Lesley Manville), and society rake, Vicomte de Valmont (Aidan Turner) set up a scheme to seduce an innocent girl just out of convent school, and an upright and an honourable young wife.  As the plot unwinds they realise that they are risking more than they thought.  

There’s a deceptively spare and modern set at the start, which is populated as needed by swirling walls and doors that create privacy and exposure  The  costumes here are gorgeous, shown at their best by the choreography that builds the mood and is used, particularly in the second half to illustrate both  the passion and violence and give us a sense of what is really going on under the surface.   Lesley Manville, as always is fantastic, so contained and precise, and her recognition of the fall from grace as it comes despite her best efforts, is immaculately portrayed.  Aiden Turner of course doesn't have to do much to convince as an irresistable lothario, but his performance, as he realises to his horror that he has caught feelings, is just right.  The subjects of their scheming are perfect, with Cécile played by Hannah van der Westhuysen and the pious Madame de Tourvel  by Monica Barbaro.  Both excellent.

I thought the first half was a little slow to get going but by the interval my main feeling was a bit of grubbiness at the cynicism and heartlessness of the players, despite how gorgeous everything looks, the sordid truth under the beauty.  In the second half things really kick off though, and the violent passions kick in as the schemers find they are caught in their own trap.  At its heart this is a moral tale about horrible cynical people who play with others as pawns in their own emotional power games.  It’s hightly satisfying as just desserts are handed out.

This is a fabulous production, which looks gorgeous, despite the pretty grim message.  It's also, surprisingly, a lot of fun, and if you can still get tickets, I recommend.