Les Liaisons Dangereuses

The new edition of Christopher Hampton's renowned adaptation, revised and with a new introduction for the play's fortieth anniversary.

'One of the best stage adaptations ever written.' OBSERVER

You see, I have no intention of breaking down her prejudices. I want her to believe in God and virtue and the sanctity of marriage, and still not be able to stop herself. I want passion, in other words. Not the kind we're used to, which is as cold as it's superficial, I don't get much pleasure out of that any more. No. I want the excitement of watching her betray everything that's most important to her.

Former lovers, the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont now compete in games of seduction and revenge. At the play's dark heart is their conspiracy to corrupt Cécile, a young girl barely out of her convent.

Adapted from Choderlos de Laclos's scandalous epistolary novel, Les Liaisons Dangereuses opened at The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, in 1985. The play was revived at the National Theatre, London, in March 2026.