NT Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses – Review

Why National Theatre Live Is Essential for Young Audiences

For the first 17 years of my life, I was a major theatre kid. I had been taking drama classes for as long as I could remember, and eventually pivoted towards Musical Theatre at the age of 12, where I performed in more shows and showcases than I can count. Before my love of film, there was my love of literature and theatre, and I would be lying if I said that performing wasn’t my first love. I definitely wouldn’t be here today if I didn’t start in theatre. Film and theatre go hand in hand, as do all of the arts, and I believe that having this background has allowed me to further enrich myself and my understanding in the world of film.

So, last August when National Theatre: Live reached out to me and asked me to join their brand ambassador programme for their new season, it was the easiest ‘yes’ I’ve said in my career thus far. This brand ambassadorship has not only allowed me to engage with theatre in an accessible way, with some of the best shows on stage being screened in my local cinema (which, as a Northerner, is a lifesaver), but it has completely pushed me out of my comfort zone. I believe this has further enriched my understanding and engagement across the arts, and is the fundamental reason as to why I believe it is so important that young people, especially those interested in pursuing the arts, are engaging with theatre. However, I understand that accessibility is an issue on this front. Whilst there are some great options for live, local theatre that you should be seeking out, if you don’t live in London, your options are unfortunately quite limited. That being said, a great place to start is with your local showings of productions broadcast from the National Theatre (National Theatre Live), focusing on bringing some of London’s best theatre to a cinema near you.

National Theatre Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Recently, I had the privilege of seeing Marianne Elliott’s staging of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, screened at my beloved Tyneside Cinema, and I loved it. Admittedly, I am a huge fan of the teenage film adaptation, Cruel Intentions (Kumble, 1999), so I was bound to have a good time with this, but I wasn’t prepared for how good a time I was going to have. Based on Christopher Hampton’s adaptation of the novel, the show follows Marquise de Merteuil (Lesley Manville) and Vicomte de Valmont (Aidan Turner), turning seduction into strategy and weaponising desire. When their alliance collapses into rivalry, this threatens to destroy everyone in their path.

I found this show to be utterly mesmerising, earning every second of that 180-minute runtime, with Turner and Manville being stand-outs. The dynamic between their characters as former lovers turned rivals was captivating to watch, with the on-stage chemistry translating to a palpable big-screen experience. Turner brought so much charisma and cruelty to his role, effortlessly adapting and playing off each of the women in this delicious story, where Manville commands the production. Her turn as Marquise de Merteuil is calculated and deliberate, and as a performer, she understands that there is power in restraint. It is a performance of precision, balancing quietness with calculated manipulation, making her enchanting to watch.

Aidan Turner & Leslie Manville in National Theatre Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses

These performances, paired with Elliott’s direction, allow the production to embrace and focus on this psychological warfare between the two leads. Whilst this show has gorgeous production and costume design, resulting in a visually striking staging, these performances remain at the spearhead of the show. Every exchange plays into a series of calculated and orchestrated moves in an increasingly tense game, allowing for a sustained tension across the show’s three-hour runtime, making the collapse of these facades land with true force.

Beyond being able to enjoy the theatrical production from the comfort of your local cinema, Les Liaisons Dangereuses reinforces exactly what is so great about National Theatre Live. One of NT Live’s greatest strengths is in its cinematography, which has allowed audiences to get closer to subtle expressions and tiny nuances from performers that are easier to miss in a live setting, which are littered throughout this production. Theatre in the UK can often feel inaccessible, particularly for audiences outside of London, yet National Theatre Live has incentivised bridging that gap by creating opportunities for people to experience great theatre without geographical and financial barriers. Whilst this benefits us all, it is particularly beneficial for young people in the arts, particularly those without the means to engage with live theatre.

If you’ve been paying attention to the National Theatre Live releases for a while, or you’ve never tried one before and are looking for where to start, I would highly recommend Les Liaisons Dangereuses.

Read more from Cerys at: https://ceryslovesfilm.substack.com