Les Liaisons Dangereuses 2026

Location: National Theatre
About the Show:
Set in pre-revolutionary France, Les Liaisons Dangereuses explores the ruthless games of love and power played out among the aristocracy. De Laclos’ original novel, composed through letters between the characters, shocked and fascinated audiences upon publication and continues to resonate today. Christopher Hampton’s acclaimed adaptation brings its dark wit and psychological complexity to the stage in a production that promises to be one of the theatre highlights of the year.
Tickets: Not on sale yet.
Dates: 21 March to 6 June 2026 at the Lyttelton Theatre, National Theatre, London.
More info:National Theatre – Les Liaisons Dangereuses

CAST:
Lesley Manville – Marquise de Merteuil
Aidan Turner – Vicomte de Valmont
Monica Barbaro – Madame de Tourvel
Gabrielle Drake- Madame de Rosemond
Sharif Afifi- Azolan
Nandi Bhebhe – Julie
Ali Goldsmith – Major-Domo
Darragh Hand – Chevalier Danceny
Cat Simmons – Madame de Volanges
Hannah van der Westhuysen- Cécile Volanges

Official Trailer:

In 2026, Turner returns to the 18th century, although this time it’s to the salons of pre-revolutionary France, rather than the rugged Cornish setting of Poldark. Christopher Hampton’s adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s 1782 scandalous novel was first performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1985 and has become a modern classic.

Turner plays the Vicomte de Valmont, a role created onstage by Alan Rickman and played by John Malkovich in the film. Valmont is a debauched rake who, with his former lover and rival Madame de Merteuil, uses sex as a cruel game of manipulation with which to corrupt the innocent. Olivier winner and Oscar nominee Lesley Manville, who originated the role of the innocent Cécile de Volages, graduates to the wicked Madame de Merteuil (the role created by Lindsay Duncan and immortalised by Glenn Close on screen).

The production is directed by the Olivier Award-winning Marianne Elliott (Company, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), marking her first production at the National Theatre since Angels in America in 2017. The cast also includes Monica Barbaro (Top Gun: Maverick). Few actors wear period costume as alluringly or convey smouldering sensuality as powerfully as Turner does. It looks set to be one of the classiest productions of 2026.

Check back for tickets to Les Liaisons Dangereuses on LondonTheatre.co.uk.
Source:Learn more about Aidan Turner’s career ahead of ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses’