Photo of Theatre de l’Atelier’s production of ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses,’ presented at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. Photo by Gaspard Leclerc.
It’s hard not to be seduced by Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Sexy, vicious, witty—this revival of Christopher Hampton’s classical adaptation triumphs with quiet ferocity.
Under the direction of John Malkovich—who starred in the 1998 film adaptation, Dangerous Liaisons—Theatre de l’Atelier is presenting the show at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in the original French (or at least, original to Pierre Chodlerlos de Laclos’ 1782 novel of the same name, on which the play is based).
Photo of Theatre de l’Atelier’s production of ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses,’ presented at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. Photo by Gaspard Leclerc.
The story centers around two sexual rivals, the Marquise de Merteuil (Julie Moulier) and the Vicomte de Valmont (Yannik Landrein), a pair of restless and seemingly amoral aristocrats who challenge each other to feats of erotic conquest and deceit. With their sights fixed on the virtuous Madame de Tourvel (Jina Djemba) and the utterly innocent Cecile (Agathe Le Bourdonnec), they busily set about destroying their lives. At first, the delight they find in this scheme is comically enticing, but it turns sour and revolting as the true extent and consequences of their lies come to light.
As early as the preshow (which is a show in its own right), the actors introduce the convention of cell phones and tablets as a means of communication. These elements are so deliberately at odds with the show’s setting (18th Century France), that the effect is humorous, rather than simply anachronistic or distracting. The other noticeable addition is that the cast remains onstage for the entire play, bearing witness to one another’s deceptions.
… Photo of Theatre de l’Atelier’s production of ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses,’ presented at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. Photo by Gaspard Leclerc.
Landrein and Mouiler are perfectly matched as the central masterminds in what they hold—perhaps desperately—to be a meaningless game of catch and release. Landrein drives the show with his disarming wit and charm—especially in his disturbing “instruction” of Cecile and dancelike seduction of Tourvel. His subsequent abandonment of the latter is a truly terrifying spectacle, and both Le Bourdennec and Djemba give excellent performances as the reluctant objects of his desire. Indeed, Malkovich has chosen the perfect ensemble for this piece; look out for humorous gems from Cecile’s boyfriend Danceny (Mabo Kouyate), the flirtatious Emilie (Lola Naymark), and your sometime-guide for the evening, Azolan (Lazare Herson-Macarel).
…triumphs with quiet ferocity.
The actors are well supported by the design—elegant and gestural costumes from Mina Ly, a spare but continually surprising set from Pierre-Francois Limbosch—which creates a lush backdrop for this deeply intimate production. Non-French speakers will be relieved to find English supertitles above the action and, while some of the wordplay is lost in translation, all audiences will find themselves drawn into this world of sexual violence and heartless desire.
Running Time: This is a show that takes its time—almost three hours–but it earns every minute of it.
Advisory: The show contains nudity and explicit situations.
Dangerous Liaisons played at Lansburgh Theatre, 450 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C., only through December 9. For information and tickets for other shows at the Shakespeare Theatre click here.
