Lesley Manville's Marquise de Merteuil Shines in National Theatre's Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Marianne Elliott's sweeping production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the National Theatre breathes new life into Christopher Hampton's 1985 adaptation of the scandalous French classic. With Lesley Manville and Aidan Turner leading the cast, this revival combines sumptuous staging with precise storytelling, creating a devastatingly effective theatrical experience.
A Tale of Machiavellian Sexuality
The story revolves around two magnetic but thoroughly unpleasant anti-heroes. Lesley Manville, known for her role in Phantom Thread, delivers a characteristically brilliant performance as the Marquise de Merteuil. She portrays an oh-so-refined monstrosity who expounds the virtues of infidelity and cutthroat social manipulations with the gravity of a silk-robed priest.
Her loyal accomplice, the Vicomte de Valmont, is played by Poldark star Aidan Turner. Turner brings a lovable, wheedling, boyish charm to the role, making him utterly convincing as a serial seducer too entertaining for high society to reject. His obsession with the prim Christian Madame de Tourvel, played by Monica Barbaro, leads to comedic and dramatic moments, while his seduction of the young Cécile, portrayed by Hannah van der Westhuysen, drives the plot's darker themes.
Staging and Design
The production features a mirror-lined stage that reflects the characters' hues as brightly as gems in a jewellery box. Stiff-limbed, satin-skirted ladies and cummerbund-wearing gentlemen whirl about like automatons, creating a mix of sumptuousness and precision. Rosanna Vize's spectacular set and Tom Jackson Greaves's stately dances add to the visual grandeur, though they occasionally slow the pacing.
Instead of louchely sprawling over chaise longues, the players sit primly on conference centre chairs, evoking a sense of anticipation in a hotel lobby. This choice adds a modern twist to the 18th-century setting, highlighting the timeless nature of the story's themes.
Themes and Performances
French captain-turned-author Choderlos de Laclos crafted a tale with a twisted value system, honed by his experiences in 18th-century battlefields and high society. Some elements remain invigorating for 21st-century audiences, particularly Merteuil's rousing speeches about women taking charge of their sexual destinies in a patriarchal world.
However, the uncomfortable model of sexual awakening, as seen in Cécile's coerced encounters, presents challenges. Elliott's production bravely addresses this by portraying Cécile's inner turmoil, with Westhuysen's performance showing her mutely suffering as her seducers celebrate. Her eventual ownership of her body and choices becomes a triumph over their morals.
Manville's performance as Merteuil is the production's greatest strength. It is terrifying to watch her scrutinise her corseted, black-lace clad body in the mirror, assessing her sexual effect like an engineer checking an instrument of war. Yet, it is impossible not to root for her, especially as her campaign of destruction claims her as its final victim.
Conclusion
Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the National Theatre's Lyttelton Theatre until 6 June offers a compelling blend of romantic intrigue and dark themes. With standout performances from Lesley Manville and Aidan Turner, this production navigates the story's complexities with elegance and power, making it a must-see for theatre enthusiasts.
