Les Liaison Dangereuses.

Sir John Mills Theatre, Ipswich (2019)
Headgate Theatre, Colchester (2020)



Christopher Hampton

Set in precarious times shortly before the French Revolution, Les Liaisons Dangereuses deliciously documents the cruel games and manipulation of a bored aristocracy. The central characters, The Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont, two narcissistic rivals (and ex-lovers) use seduction as a vengeful weapon to socially control and exploit others. While these ruthless aristocrats toy with others’ hearts and reputations, their own may prove more fragile than they supposed..

“Rosie Beattie’s Blanche is totally believable – and her descent into madness at the end of the play is so real its painful to watch.”



“Molly Scurrell’s Stella is a masterpiece. She gets the perfect balance between her strength and vulnerability – and her chemistry with Stan gives the play a sensuous reality.”

A Streetcar Named Desire

"The design, setting, lighting and a blistering soundtrack, set the mood perfectly, and allow the cast to own the space and grow in character as the story builds. Blanche Dubois, faded Southern Belle, bankrupt, a fantasist and liar, a snob and hopelessly damaged, lands like a time bomb in her sister Stella’s New Orleans apartment. Brilliantly and convincingly played by Rosie Beattie, we understand totally why Blanche hides behind images of herself, and her path towards complete breakdown is heartbreakingly played. The object of her downfall is her brother in law Stanley, a dinosaur when it comes to women’s feelings. Liam Gregory ‘s excellent vocal range and characterisation dominated the stage, the tension between the two characters sparking into violence. Caught in the middle is Stella, played by Molly Scurrell, bringing a maturity to the role that holds the tension high. The ensemble is terrific, particularly Michael Cook giving a strong performance as the awkward, love struck, potential new beau to Blanche. Director Sally Scurrell gets right under the text and creates astonishing performances. Her genius idea, however, is having the ghost of Blanche’s one true love on stage with her at key moments. It makes such sense; it’s amazing it hasn’t been done before! Students will appreciate the power of naturalism, everyone else will get caught up in the tension and tragedy that builds like a symphony- a serious, not to be missed theatre experience.".

“Liam Gregory’s excellent vocal range and characterisation dominated the stage... The relationship with Stella is totally believable  - and he fills up the physicality of the part so much that at times makes the stage fizz with testosterone.”



“A complex, powerful, multilayered giant of a play – Streetcar would be a challenge for any professional company. They have tackled this challenge head on – and the result is a mesmerising production that leaves you almost as exhausted by the emotion as the characters on stage.”

Les Liaisons Dangereuses

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““A triumph – an indication of how powerful this production was! The design, setting, lighting and a blistering soundtrack set the mood perfectly, and allowed the cast to own the space and grow in character as the story built. Southern Belle Blanche DuBois, bankrupt, a fantasist and liar, a snob and hopelessly damaged, lands like a time bomb on her sister Stella’a New Orleans apartment. Brilliantly and convincingly played by Rosie Beattie, we understand totally why Blanche hides behind images of herself, and her path towards complete breakdown was heartbreakingly played.” “Director Sally Scurrell got right under the text and created astonishing performances” Paul T Davies – Colchester Chronicle ”



Production Team and Cast

Paper Lantern normally perform each production at two venues. Sometimes the cast may change in certain roles.

Production

Director
Creative Assistant
Set Design
Lighting Design
Lighting Operation
Sound Design and Operation
Stage Manager
Set Construction
Original 'Blue Piano' Music

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Sally Scurrell
Rosie Beattie
Darren Beattie
Dan Scarlett (Scarlett Lighting)
Rachel Doy
Duncan Broatch
Naamah Hill
Clive Webb & Dick Bound
Claire Bostock

Cast
(in order Of appearance)

Merteuil
Madame Volanges
Mademoiselle Volanges
Collector/Allan Grey
Stella Kowalski
Stanley Kowalsk
Harold 'Mitch' Mitchell
Steve
Pablo
Doctor

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Rosie Beattie
Charlotte Curtis
Rosie Beattie
Harry Totham
Molly Scurrell
Liam Gregory
Mike Cook
Paul Mann
Colin Lee Bennett/Tom Hitchcock/Ben Cook
Steve Wooldridge/Duncan Broatch/Clive Webb

A Streetcar Named Desire - Tracklist

Ruelle - Secrets and Lies Play Me
Lhasa de Sela - Love came here Play Me
Blue piano main theme - Original work by Claire Bostock
Ry Cooder - Feelin' bad blues Play Me
The Devil Makes Three - Aces and twos Play Me
Jimmy Dorsey - Blue Champagne Play Me
Mills Brothers - You Always Hurt the One You Love Play Me
Rory Gallagher - What In The World Play Me
Buddy Guy - Did Somebody Make A Fool Out Of You Play Me
Smiley Lewis - Someday You'll Want Me Play Me
Evil Woman - John Mayall & Peter Green Play Me

Quincy Coleman - Want Me Back (Live Version) Play Me
You Never Really Loved Me - Trampled Under Foot Play Me
Otis Taylor - Rain So Hard Play Me
Hannah Williams & The Tastemakers - Work it out Play Me
B.B. King - I Gotta Move Out Of This Neighborhood Play Me
Otis Taylor - House of crosses Play Me
Lightnin Hopkins - Last Night Blues Play Me