Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Review by Shanna Provost
'Liaisons' is a dire story of seduction, revenge and malice—a morality tale that shines a jaundiced light on French aristocracy not long before the French Revolution. The script is a grand endeavour in that it is Peter Hampton’s clever adaptation of a 1782 French novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos.
What impacts immediately in this production is Ian Croker’s impressive set. Finding time to create such a stunning housing for Rep’s play while rehearsing the lead in another is admirable. The emergence and retreat of his three enormous paintings in heavy gilt frames at critical times during the play are a clever distraction from the cumbersome scene changes. The period paintings, with their lascivious themes, add a significant mood and a third dimension to the unfolding play.
Hannah Ley deftly plays Ice Queen the Marquise de Merteuil with the marked restraint required of the role. Her husband, Duncan Ley, who plays opposite her as the malicious Vicomte de Valmont has surely met his professional match. There is a familiarity there that adds intimacy and depth to their characters. Ley’s impeccable timing adds a further layer to the ruthlessness of Valmont.
Despite its malicious intent, Hampton has stayed true to Laclos’s biting wit and there are some funny moments when we laugh with or at the plotting and scheming characters.
Strong performances from the supporting cast, particularly Helen McFarlane as La Presidente de Tourvel and Adrian Flor as the affable music teacher Le Chevalier Danceny. Lexi Sekuless lights up the stage as the beautiful, naïve (for a time) Cécile Volanges.
The duel choreography is cleverly crafted, with Ley and Flor throwing themselves into the scene with commitment. So much so that I felt a nervousness for their safety, for the props with which they fight are potentially dangerous.
The nude scenes were quite demure for what is purported to be a window into the decadence of the French ruling class; perhaps this was done in deference to audience sensitivities?
Costumes were extravagant and kept to Period, and keeping actors in the one costume throughout the play helped ease distraction from the core of the play (the interplay between characters). This approach could have been used to tighten the links between scenes. Rolling beds in and out and moving settees became tiresome by the end of the first act—the interscene business almost overshadowed the fine scenes between.
Leaving the beds on set throughout (it is a play about seduction after all) and using light only to reflect the change of scene would help the audience to stay on top of the plot. Canberra Rep audiences are sophisticated enough to understand the inference of scene changes without actors and crew having to drag bits of furniture around continuously.
Minor annoyances aside, Les Liaisons Dangereuses is yet another quality production from Canberra Repertory.
What: LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES
Where: Theatre 3, 3 Repertory Lane (off Ellery Crescent) Acton ACT
Season: 11 September – 3 October
Director’s Q & A: 19 Sept, following matinee performance
Tickets: $35, Conc $27, Members $25, Preview/Mat/Twilight $27
Online bookings: www.canberrarep.org.au
Phone bookings: 6257 1950, Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm,
Tickets also available at the door 1 hour before scheduled performances.
Please note: this play contains nudity.
