NT Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses

In the decadent salons of pre-revolutionary France, a lethal game of chess is being played with human hearts as the pieces.  Christopher Hampton’s legendary adaptation of Les Liaisons Dangereuses returns to the National Theatre in a definitive new production, offering a chilling and seductive glimpse into the moral decay of the ancien régime. Directed by the visionary Marianne Elliott (War Horse, Angels in America), this major revival transforms the Lyttelton stage into a world of silken whispers and razor-sharp betrayals.

The narrative centres on two former lovers and current rivals, the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont. Bored by their own privilege and fueled by a thirst for dominance, they use the arts of seduction and manipulation to dismantle the reputations of those around them. Merteuil, portrayed by the incomparable Lesley Manville (The Crown, Phantom Thread), is the ultimate puppet-master, masking her ruthless ambition behind a veneer of aristocratic decorum.  She challenges Valmont, played by the magnetic Aidan Turner (Poldark, The Lieutenant of Inishmore), to corrupt the innocent Cécile Volanges and the virtuously married Madame de Tourvel (Monica Barbaro).

What begins as a sport of vanity soon spirals into a devastating conflict.  As Valmont finds himself unexpectedly ensnared by his own prey, his alliance with Merteuil fractures, sparking a scorched-earth campaign that threatens to destroy everyone in its path.  Elliott’s direction highlights the contemporary resonances of this 18th-century scandal, exploring the toxic intersections of power, gender, and the performance of identity in a world where reputation is the only currency that matters.

This production marks a rare theatrical event, uniting a powerhouse cast with a director renowned for her bold, visually stunning storytelling. The chemistry between Manville and Turner is electric, capturing the high-stakes tension at the heart of Hampton's text.  With its sumptuous design, haunting atmosphere, and blistering dialogue, Les Liaisons Dangereuses is a masterclass in psychological warfare.

Captured live for the big screen, this NT Live broadcast ensures you have a front-row seat to the most talked-about production of the 2026 season.  Experience the thrill of the chase and the sting of the betrayal.  Reserve your seat now to witness this exquisite, dark masterpiece.  It is a theatrical game you cannot afford to miss.