Aidan Turner, the actor famed for his shirtless scenes in Poldark and his role in the adaptation of Jilly Cooper's Rivals, is set to bring his magnetic presence to the London stage. He will headline a major new West End production of the classic French drama Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
Steamy Classic Gets a Star-Studded Revival
The production, a striking reimagining directed by Marianne Elliott, will run at The National Theatre from March 21 to June 6. Turner, 42, will take on the role of the amoral seducer Vicomte de Valmont, a part made famous by John Malkovich in the Oscar-winning 1988 film Dangerous Liaisons.
Opposite him, the formidable Lesley Manville, 69, will play the powerful and vindictive Marquise de Merteuil, originally portrayed on screen by Glenn Close. The play is based on Choderlos de Laclos' 18th-century novel, a tale of betrayal, revenge, and seduction among the French aristocracy.
From Screen to Stage: A Notable Casting Coup
Adding to the intrigue is the casting of American actress Monica Barbaro, 35. Best known for playing Joan Baez in the 2024 Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, this marks her professional stage debut. She will portray the virtuous Madame de Tourvel, a role associated with Michelle Pfeiffer.
This West End adaptation promises to be one of the theatrical highlights of the spring season, blending a timeless story with a cast of acclaimed screen actors transitioning to the stage. The full feature on the production can be found in the February issue of British Vogue, available from Tuesday, January 20.
