Dangerous Liaisons now on stage in Stratford

Stratford, ON… Seduction, power and betrayal take centre stage this season as the Stratford Festival presents a provocative new production of Dangerous Liaisons, Christopher Hampton’s masterful stage adaptation of the classic novel. Under the direction of Esther Jun, this opulent tale of aristocratic excess unfolds on the eve of the French Revolution, as two cunning lovers engage in a ruthless game of desire and deceit.

At the heart of the story are the Marquise de Merteuil and her sometime lover, the Vicomte de Valmont – aristocrats who delight in using their considerable charms to manipulate those around them. Their latest game targets the virginal Cécile Volanges and the devout Madame de Tourvel, whose virtue they seek to destroy. As their schemes unfold, so too do the emotional stakes, turning what began as a calculated contest of seduction and manipulation into a devastating collision of pride, desire and revenge.

Bold, elegant and biting, Dangerous Liaisons is a richly layered period drama that lays bare the intoxicating allure and ultimate cost of power without conscience. Don’t miss this thrilling new production of a timeless theatrical masterpiece.

Dangerous Liaisons features Celia Aloma as Madame de Tourvel, Jesse Gervais as Le Vicomte de Valmont and Jessica B. Hill as La Marquise de Merteuil, with Ashley Dingwell as Cécile Volanges, Seana McKenna as Madame de Rosemonde, Leon Qin as Le Chevalier Danceny and Nadine Villasin as Madame de Volanges. The production also features Christopher Allen, Gabriel Antonacci, Thomas Duplessie as Azolan, Sara Farb as Émilie, Jacklyn Francis, Silvae Mercedes as Footman, Evan Mercer as Footman, Joe Perry as Footman, Glynis Ranney as Servant, Jade V. Robinson as Servant, Makambe K. Simamba as Servant, Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane, and Norman Yeung as Major-Domo.

Jun is joined by Set Designer Teresa Przybylski, Costume Designer A.W. Nadine Grant, Lighting Designer Arun Srinivasan and Composer and Sound Designer Richard Feren.

Dangerous Liaisons has its official opening on August 22 and runs until October 25 at the Festival Theatre. Tickets are available at stratfordfestival.ca or by calling 1.800.567.1600.

The 2025 season also features As You Like It, Annie, Sense and Sensibility, Macbeth, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Anne of Green Gables, The Winter’s Tale, Forgiveness, Ransacking Troy and The Art of War. For more information, visit stratfordfestival.ca.

The 2025 season is generously supported by Ophelia Lazaridis.

Proud 2025 Season Partners: BMO Financial Group, Canada Life and RBC Royal Bank.

Support for the 2025 season of the Festival Theatre is generously provided by Daniel Bernstein & Claire Foerster.

Production Sponsor: Intact Prestige

Production Co-Sponsors: Cathy & Paul Cotton and Doug Kennedy.

CAST (in alphabetical order)

Christopher Allen                   Understudy

Celia Aloma                            Madame de Tourvel

Gabriel Antonacci                   Understudy

Ashley Dingwell                     Cécile Volanges

Thomas Duplessie                  Azolan

Sara Farb                                 Émilie

Jacklyn Francis                       Understudy

Jesse Gervais                          Le Vicomte de Valmont

Jessica B. Hill                         La Marquise de Merteuil

Seana McKenna                      Madame de Rosemonde

Silvae Mercedes                     Footman

Evan Mercer                           Footman

Joe Perry                                 Footman

Leon Qin                                 Le Chevalier Danceny

Glynis Ranney                        Servant

Jade V. Robinson                    Servant

Makambe K. Simamba           Servant

Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane         Understudy

Nadine Villasin                       Madame de Volanges

Norman Yeung                        Major-Domo

ARTISTIC CREDITS

Playwright                                                      Christopher Hampton

Director                                                           Esther Jun

Set Designer                                                   Teresa Przybylski

Costume Designer                                          A.W. Nadine Grant

Lighting Designer                                           Arun Srinivasan

Composer, Sound Designer                            Richard Feren

Fight and Intimacy Director                           Anita Nittoly

Assistant Director                                           Lennette Randall

Assistant Set and Costume Designer              Emily Dotson

Assistant Lighting Designer                           Sruthi Suresan

Associate Fight Director                                 David Chinchilla

Apprentice Intimacy Director                         Valeria Pugliese

Stage Manager                                                Michael Hart

Assistant Stage Manager                                Lily Cardiff

Assistant Stage Manager                                Tiffany Fraser

Assistant Stage Manager                                Théa Pel

Production Stage Manager                             Krista Blackwood

Production Assistant                                       Katherine Hunter
Technical Director                                          Robbin Cheesman