Posted by: emsical on: 27/05/2010
Saw some live theatre last night – went to Greenwich Theatre to see Dangerous Liaisons, a Mappa Mundi production. It was excellent – funny in the right places and really gripping and moving in others. The whole cast were really good, but the actress playing Cecile was especially good – she managed to steal the show a bit from the actor playing Valmont, who was also brilliant, charming, seductive, dangerous and human.
One of my favourite sequences is when he is toying with Cecile, convincing her to give him the key to her bedroom, which ends with him telling her he ‘cannot abide deceit’! Another classic is the ‘declaration of war’ scene, between the Marquise and Valmont. So elegant, and cleverly done. I’ve never read the book, though I now intend to, though I have seen the film starring Glenn Close and John Malkovich, which I now want to watch again. The war scene in the film is particularly powerful; I think I first saw the film as a teenager, and was very impressed by it.
Well done Greenwich Theatre – an excellent venue to boot – lovely bar and cafe, and close to lots of lovely restaurants and bars for after-show discussions and debates.
My mood is much improved.