Inside Iowa State
February 18, 2000
Love hurts
ISU Theatre presents
Les Liaisons Dangereuses
by David Gieske, LAS Public Relations
Just because a play looks like a period piece, doesn't
mean that its message can't be updated to modern times.
That's the case with the production of Les Liaisons Dangereusesby ISU Theatre in mid-February.
"This is not a period piece," said Jane Cox, associate professor of theater and the play's director.
"There may be costumes from 200 years ago and French furniture reproductions" she said, "but the ideas and emotions in the play still are very applicable to today."
Les Liaisons Dangereuseswill be presented at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 20. Tickets are $10 for adults ($9 for seniors) and available at the Iowa State Center ticket office, TicketMaster locations or by calling 233-1888.
Set in France among aristocrats before the revolution, Les Liaisons Dangereusesis a play for all times about sexual manners and manipulation.
Craving revenge on the man who jilted her, the wicked Marquisede Merteuil (portrayed by Molly VandeKrol, Des Moines) persuades a former lover, the rakish Valmont (David Byrd, West Des Moines), to seduce the man's young fiancee, known for her unshakable fidelity. The cold-blooded twosome proceed gleefully with their heartless scheme until true love unexpectedly alters the course of the events.
"Even though the production takes place 200 years ago, I don't think human nature has changed that much," Cox said. "There is a lot to learn from this play."
The original 1985 production by the Royal Shakespeare Company and from Christopher Hampton's adaptation of Chaderlos de Laclos' novel, met with critical and popular acclaim in Stratford, London, New York and across the United States. Recent film adaptations of the work include Dangerous Liaisons, Valmontand Cruel Intentions.
de Laclos's novel provoked shock and censorship, but was widely read during its initial publication. Cox said that it wasn't the book's violence and sex that caused the outrage.
"The two main characters use love, not violence, as a way to destroy people," she said. "It becomes almost a contest between them to see how many people they can destroy."
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