COTTAGE GROVE – In a stunning revival of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s scandalous 1782 novel, Cottage Theatre’s “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” expertly weaves a tale of manipulation and decadence that resonates chillingly with today’s world of power plays and societal excess.
The director, Jesse Merz, described the show’s theme as “love and romance, miscommunications and manipulations against a backdrop of decaying decadence.”
The plot follows former lovers, the Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont, who manipulate others for amusement and revenge. Merteuil wants revenge on a past lover and his innocent intended bride. She solicits the assistance of Vicomte, who is known for seducing virtuous and married women, offering him herself if he ruins the reputation of her rival. Their debauchery and seductions cost others their reputations.
The story highlights the decadence of pre-Revolutionary France and encapsulates all the reasons the aristocracy was villainized at the time.
The novel was so offensive that Parisian authorities banned it in 1824. Although it had no actual sex scenes, it was considered pornographic for the ideas it inspired. Modern audiences might be more familiar with the 1988 movie version of Dangerous Liaisons, starring John Malkovich, Glenn Close, Uma Thurman, and Michelle Pfeiffer.
The writing is witty, the plot twists keep the audience on the edge of their seats, and the actors deliver their lines with perfect comedic timing.
Tracy Brous as Mereuil and Kory Weimer as Valmont deliver spectacular performances and embody these villains so believably that it is easy to despise and pity them. The supporting actors play the innocent victims with gut-wrenching believability. The stage lighting was brilliant, and I got the chills at times.
For a historical drama about such dark themes, humor was well-used to break up the tension.
During intermission, the lobby was filled with people chatting about how good the play was.
“The acting was top-quality,” said Steve Gough, Creswell resident.
“It was hilarious. I like the humor,” added his wife, Dale Gough.
Another resident of Creswell, Sandi O’Brien, said, “I loved the duplicitousness.”
The set designs were well done, capturing the era’s decadence while remaining simple. The costumes were eye candy. In a play about an era of superfluity, it is natural that the costumes and set design would also reflect this.
“The aristocracy in France, 1785, was all about excess in everything. They wore different clothes daily and sometimes several outfits in one day. This play takes place from August to December and in several locations,” said Rhonda Turnquist, the costume designer. “We decided to stay true to the era and wear different costumes for every scene. So, 55 costumes for ten actors. As the lead male, Kory Weimer, is in 17 scenes, so 17 different coats were required.”
That is an incredible undertaking for a costume designer, especially since Cottage Theatre has never produced a play from this era. Therefore, there were no costumes to reuse. Turnquist had some personal costumes she utilized, but she made many of the costumes. Those purchased from the Internet needed significant changes.
“In addition to the costumes the audience sees, I also made undergarments of chemises, stays, and panniers for the women to give the proper fit. In eight weeks, I outfitted the entire cast and had some time left to design and make special Rococo shoes for the women. I have enjoyed designing and making the costumes for this show, and everyone involved has put in a lot of time, effort, and love,” said Turnquist.
Dramaturg Caroline Cramer writes, “Historical plays are never truly about history,” alluding to this play’s unsettling familiarity.
“This play is based on a 1780s novel written in the 1980s, but it still speaks to us today,” Merz said. “It resonates far beyond its time.”
Merz and Cramer are onto something. It is hard not to see the parallels in our era.
Like the upper class in this play, who manipulate and abuse others, we can see how those in power control others for personal gain in our own lives.
We live in an era when insurance companies profit from raising the prices of life-saving medicines so that the rich can get richer; corrupt politicians have no consequences for the crimes they commit, and the elite manipulate information for their benefit.
A historical play has never been more relevant — because history repeats itself. Even the ending, which demonstrates the consequences of power and decadence, happens repeatedly.
But I won’t spoil the plot. I highly recommend that you see the play. You will laugh and be entertained. Then, be ready to get angry as you see the same excess and manipulation in your own time.
“Les Liaisons Dangereuses” is on stage at Cottage Theatre at 700 Village Drive, Cottage Grove, through Feb. 23. More info and tickets: CottageTheatre.org
Sarina Dorie is the arts writer for The Chronicle.
