"Les Liaisons Dangereuses" to early close 10 Jan 04

"Les Liaisons Dangereuses" to early close 10 Jan 04

The new production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses adapted by Christopher Hampton, based on Novel by Choderlos de Laclos, has posted early closing notices, and will now close 10 Jan 2004, after a run of only 1 month! (The show was originally booking to 27 Mar 04).

The play received poor notices from the popular press when it opened at the Playhouse theatre 12 Dec 03: RHODA KOENIG for THE INDEPENDENT says, "A production worth seeing only for the play itself." MICHAEL BILLINGTON for THE GUARDIAN says, "Although Tim Fywell's revival has its strengths, it misses the comic irony that pervades Hampton's scintillating text." CHARLES SPENCER for THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "Erotic thriller falls horribly flat." IAN JOHNS for THE TIMES says, "Should be as sharp as a guillotine but swiftly descends into tedious blandness.

The cast includes: Polly Walker (La Marquise de Merteuil), Jared Harris (Le Vicomte de Valmont), Emilia Fox (La Présidente de Tourvel), Laurence Penry Jones (Danceny), Jeremy Edwards (Azolan), Sarah Woodward (Madame de Volanges), Olivia Llewellyn (Cecile Volanges), Dilys Laye (Madame de Rosemonde'), Sean Oliver (Major Domo)

It is directed by Tim Fywell , designed by Robert Innes-Hopkins, and produced by Ambassador Theatre Group / Trademark Theatre Company / Matthew Mitchell Ltd

Les Liaisons Dangereuses first opened at The Other Place in Stratford in 1985, before moving to the Barbican and then opening in the autumn of 1986 at the Ambassadors Theatre for a run of nearly 2000 performances. The play was a huge hit on Broadway and was subsequently filmed. This is the first major London stage production of the play since.

Les Liaisons Dangereuses is an elegant game of lust, seduction, and betrayal played out in the parlours and boudoirs of 18th century France. When ex-lovers the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont scheme to destroy the virtue of two piously innocent women, society becomes their audience and scandal their drama. Enter a world where love and revenge are the dice being rolled in a game no one can win.