DANGEROUS LIAISONS BROADWAY CAST SERIES

This terrifying pair of card-sharpers with words, one-time lovers whoРІР‚в„ўve forgotten what it is to love until itРІР‚в„ўs too late, rise to the challenge of the climactic confrontation, each wielding the deadly refrain РІР‚СљitРІР‚в„ўs beyond my controlРІР‚Сњ with daggers to our hearts РІР‚вЂњ and to the tender soul of the fallen Madame de Tourvel ( pictured above), Elaine Cassidy taking the place of the original choice, DowntonРІР‚в„ўs recently-bereaved Michelle Dockery, with candour and a convincing wilt that makes us believe this will be the death of her. Above all, thereРІР‚в„ўs a compelling sense of a woman channeling her supreme intelligence into the only field society allows her, subverting the womanРІР‚в„ўs 'natural' role in pleasing the man. She might need to project just a little more in the intimate surroundings, although they pay dividends in that the actors never have to force. McTeer is compelling from the first line, all dark velvet in the lower register of the voice to match her gorgeous silks and tall command, but never stagey. West stumbled a bit on the first night, but the well-modulated speaking voice is certainly seductive.

It may be a deliberate choice that Dominic WestРІР‚в„ўs Vicomte de Valmont makes little distinction between the urgent blandishments that never take РІР‚СљnoРІР‚Сњ for an answer and a man truly in love for the first time perhaps heРІР‚в„ўs got the seeming off to such a tee that we never know when heРІР‚в„ўs still play-acting. Whether this strikes as deep and terrible as it might is debateable.

DANGEROUS LIAISONS BROADWAY CAST SERIES

Layers of pictures against the back wall lead us from the sensuous scene of Diana and Actaeon after Titian to a floral still life, then a series of portraits, then nothingness as the chandeliers are lowered and the candles snuffed out for the cold, comfortless denouement. Almeida Artistic Director Josie Rourke makes us eavesdroppers on a series of eloquent dialogues in various rooms under candlelit chandeliers, taking a cue from the the key component in the Sam Wanamaker PlayhouseРІР‚в„ўs intimate atmosphere. Timeless as the feelings, and apparent lack of them, behind the actions certainly are, the drama canРІР‚в„ўt be removed from the salons of late 18 th century, pre-revolutionary Paris. Close was unforgettable as the manipulative Marquise de Merteuil in the film version, so itРІР‚в„ўs good to report that McTeer, back in the West End after too long an absence, equals her achievement and has a Valmont as charismatic in his way as John Malkovich in this latest, strongly-cast vindication of a great play.

Dangerous liaisons broadway cast