First Look: Behind the Curtain at Marianne Elliott’s Les Liaisons Dangereuses Rehearsals at the National Theatre
New rehearsal images offer an early glimpse inside Marianne Elliott’s bold new staging of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, arriving at the National Theatre later this month. The production brings Christopher Hampton’s celebrated adaptation back to the London stage with a major cast led by Lesley Manville and Aidan Turner.
The National Theatre has released the first rehearsal photographs from Marianne Elliott’s new production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, offering an early look at the company as preparations begin for the Lyttelton Theatre run.
Taken by photographer Sarah Lee, the images show actors working through early scenes from Christopher Hampton’s celebrated stage adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ notorious 18th-century novel. Hampton has refreshed the script for this staging, the first time the play has been presented at the National Theatre.
Set among the salons of pre-revolutionary Paris, Les Liaisons Dangereuses follows two formidable aristocrats who treat seduction as strategy. The calculating Marquise de Merteuil and the charismatic Vicomte de Valmont manipulate lovers, rivals and reputations in a society where scandal can destroy a life. When their alliance turns into rivalry, the consequences spread far beyond their private games.
Elliott’s cast is led by Lesley Manville, Aidan Turner, Monica Barbaro and Gabrielle Drake.
They are joined by Ishmail Aaron, Sharif Afifi, Curtis Angus, Charlotte Avery, Nandi Bhebhe, Lucia Chocarro, Liz Ewing, Ali Goldsmith, Darragh Hand, Georges Hann, Dianté Lodge, Katie Lusby, Amy Macken, Aisha Naamani, Bryony Pennington, Cat Simmons and Hannah van der Westhuysen.
The creative team includes set designer Rosanna Vize, costume designer Natalie Roar, choreographer Tom Jackson Greaves, composer Jasmin Kent Rodgman, lighting designer James Farncombe and sound designer Ian Dickinson for Autograph.
The production runs in the Lyttelton Theatre at the National Theatre from 21 March to 6 June 2026. It will also be broadcast worldwide through National Theatre Live from 25 June 2026.
Cast includes:
Lesley Manville, Aidan Turner, Monica Barbaro, Gabrielle Drake, Ishmail Aaron, Sharif Afifi, Curtis Angus, Charlotte Avery, Nandi Bhebhe, Lucia Chocarro, Liz Ewing, Ali Goldsmith, Darragh Hand, Georges Hann, Dianté Lodge, Katie Lusby, Amy Macken, Aisha Naamani, Bryony Pennington, Cat Simmons and Hannah van der Westhuysen.
Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Lyttelton Theatre, National Theatre, London
Dates: 21 March – 6 June 2026
Director: Marianne Elliott
Writer: Christopher Hampton (adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos)
Tickets: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
Elena Leo is the Culture & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
