The National Theatre in London has confirmed full casting for its forthcoming revival of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, directed by Marianne Elliott.
Les Liaisons Dangereuses is playing at the National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre from 21 March to 6 June 2026.
Set among the salons of the 18th-century elite, the story follows Merteuil and Valmont as they turn seduction into a blood sport — with catastrophic consequences when their alliance collapses into rivalry.
Christopher Hampton’s adaptation of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, first staged in 1985, remains one of the defining reinterpretations of Laclos’ 1782 novel of intrigue and desire.
Full casting
Already announced for the revival are:
- Lesley Manville (Oedipus, The Crown) as Marquise de Merteuil
- Aidan Turner (Rivals, Poldark, The Hobbit) as Vicomte de Valmont
- Monica Barbaro (Top Gun: Maverick) as Madame de Tourvel
In October, further casting was confirmed, including:
- Gabrielle Drake as Madame de Rosemond
- Sharif Afifi as Azolan / Understudy Vicomte de Valmont
- Nandi Bhebhe as Julie / Understudy Madame de Tourvel
- Ali Goldsmith as Major-Domo / Dancer
- Darragh Hand as Chevalier Danceny
- Cat Simmons as Madame de Volanges
- Hannah van der Westhuysen as Cécile Volanges
Announced today are the cast members to complete the company:
- Ishmail Aaron as Ensemble / Understudy Azolan / Danceny / Major-Domo
- Curtis Angus as Father Anselm / Dancer
- Charlotte Avery as Ensemble / Understudy Marquise de Merteuil
- Lucia Chocarro as Émile
- Liz Ewing as Ensemble / Understudy Madame de Volanges / Madame de Rosemonde
- Georges Hann as Dancer
- Dianté Lodge as Dancer
- Katie Lusby as Swing / Assistant Choreographer
- Amy Macken as Adele / Ensemble / Understudy Cécile Volanges
- Aisha Naamani as Dancer
- Bryony Pennington as Dancer / Understudy Émile
Directed by Marianne Elliott
Marking her first National Theatre production in nine years, Marianne Elliott is reimagining Les Liaisons Dangereuses as a glittering and perilous study of love, power and moral decay, in a production promising sharp wit, psychological depth and dark sensuality.
The wider creative team includes Set design by Rosanna Vize, Costume design by Natalie Roar, Choreography by Tom Jackson Greaves, and music by Jasmin Kent Rodgman.
Marianne Elliott’s previous National Theatre work includes Angels in America, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and the co-directed War Horse. Her other forthcoming projects include directing Sunday in the Park with George starring Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey, at the Barbican in London in 2027.
More at the National Theatre
- Currently playing: Ballet Shoes (to 21 February 2026); The Playboy of the Western World (to 28 February 2026)
- Coming up: Terence Rattigan’s Man and Boy starring Ben Daniels and Laurie Kynaston (30 January to 14 March 2026); Maxim Gorky’s Summerfolk (6 March – 29 April 2026); The Authenticator (26 March – 9 May 2026); PRIDE The Musical based on the hit film (11 June to 12 September 2026).
- New 2026 / 2027 season: Last week the National Theatre announced further details of its 2026 season including Electra / Person starring Cate Blanchett, the return of War Horse, Sandra Oh inThe Misanthrope, and Paul Mescal in Death of a Salesman and A Whistle in the Dark.
Dangerous Liaisons at the National Theatre
- Theatre: National Theatre (Lyttelton Theatre), Southbank, London
- Booking dates: 21 March to 6 June 2026
- Performance schedule: Days vary. General schedule is Monday to Saturday evenings and Wednesday & Saturday matinees
- View live availability for Les Liaisons Dangereuses tickets
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