“Director, Marrianne Elliot has excelled”
Con Nats
3.5 letters
This play is another adaptation of the famous novel about a duplicitous duo of French aristocratic lovers intent on destroying the lives of everyone around them.
In this version, Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread, Mrs Harris Goes to Paris) joins Aidan Turner (Rivals, Poldark) as Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont as the dastardly duet. They plot seductions as revenge and as a playful distraction for a bet. But when love becomes an ingredient, their relationship starts to fray. So much relies on their chemistry and they sizzle. (Manville actually played Cecile de Volange in the original 1985 production.)
The play is the adaptation by Christopher Hampton of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos‘ 1782 novel, which was used for the film version. The play is set in 18th century France and the costumes are impressive. The set is amazing. It is a deep set stage with changing sub-sets. The stage can hold different rooms and can quickly change into a large ballroom with a dozen couples dancing. Mirrors at the back deepen the effect and the duplicity at play. Erotic paintings frame the stage in the second half.
The dancing acts as amazing segues between scenes. They can be grandiose ballroom scenes or ones showing the swirling emotions and erotic actions of characters. They are nicely choreographed and the large ensemble of 10 dancers who act as silent extras (some wearing masks to accentuate their invisibility) are a vibrant addition to the production. Director, Marrianne Elliot has excelled.
Elliot doesn’t hide the distasteful actions of her characters. After Cécile de Volanges (Hannah van der Westhuysen) is seduced by Count Valmont, she sits silently in a corner, brooding, for a few scenes. It made me as uncomfortable as the ‘seduction’ scene did.
So much of this play relies on the two leads. Aidan Turner reminded me of Count Dracula. He has charisma, a warm Irish accent and a forceful way about him, but he is not a likeable character. Manville plays the comedy very well.
Vicomte: “I thought betrayal was your favourite word”
Mertuil: “No, no… ‘cruelty.’ ”
The other element is the seduction of the religious Madame de Tourvel (Monica Barbaro) who is excellent and believable. Hannah van der Westhuysen as Cecile is also very good and they both impress with their dancing.
I appreciate the irony of this play featuring immoral protagonists brought down by their self indulgence, guilt and sense of morality, all expressed in witty dialogue. It’s a very cynical look at love. “Those who are most worthy of love are never made happy by it” and “So to hope to be made happy by love is a certain cause of grief” are timeless.
I have always struggled with this play and empathising with two characters who totally destroy the lives of all they come in meaningful contact with. However, this production is visually impressive and does provide many good reasons to line up again.
Con Nats, On The Screen
