Les Liaisons Dangereuses
based on the novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
The National Theatre will stage a major new production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses from 21 March to 6 June 2026, bringing Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ infamous tale of manipulation, desire and revenge back to the London stage.
Set among the glittering decadence of pre-Revolutionary France, the production follows the dangerously intelligent Marquise de Merteuil and the seductive Vicomte de Valmont as they weaponise romance and reputation for sport. What begins as a game of cruelty spirals into betrayal, heartbreak and destruction.
Widely regarded as one of the great stories of power and obsession, Les Liaisons Dangereuses remains startlingly modern in its exploration of image, influence and emotional control. Through a web of secret letters and calculated seductions, the play exposes the devastating consequences of treating people as pawns.
The National Theatre’s new staging promises a bold reinterpretation of the classic story for contemporary audiences, combining lavish period atmosphere with razor-sharp psychological drama. Audiences can expect intrigue, wit and moral ambiguity at every turn as alliances shift and carefully constructed facades begin to collapse.
Since its publication in 1782, Les Liaisons Dangereuses has inspired countless stage and screen adaptations, becoming one of literature’s most enduring portraits of aristocratic excess before the French Revolution. The story’s themes of performance, manipulation and social status continue to resonate in the modern age.
Until 6 June 2026 at the National Theatre.
Tickets and production details are available via National Theatre.
Directed by Marianne Elliott, the production stars Lesley Manville as the calculating Marquise de Merteuil and Aidan Turner as the seductive Vicomte de Valmont. Joining them is Monica Barbaro as the virtuous Madame de Tourvel.
The wider cast includes Darragh Hand as Chevalier Danceny, Hannah van der Westhuysen as Cécile Volanges, Gabrielle Drake as Madame de Rosemonde and Cat Simmons in the company ensemble, alongside Sharif Afifi, Nandi Bhebhe, Ali Goldsmith and others in ensemble.
