DECEPTION, OBSESSION, SEDUCTION

Northern Ballet Theatre’s UK Première of Dangerous Liaisons

13 August 2004

Northern Ballet Theatre’s autumn 2004 season will get off to a sizzling start with David Nixon's UK Première of Dangerous Liaisons at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds from Friday 3 – Saturday 11 September 2004.

Nixon's powerful dance adaptation of Laclos’ classic novel, originally created for BalletMet Columbus, tells a story of sexual power, depravity, cruelty and deceit in 18th century France. He explains: “My ballet was first inspired by the movie of the same name and thereafter the original story by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. I was first struck by the number of main dramatic roles in the piece compared with most stories and the fact that a story about sensuality in the written word, could be captured in movement.”

Northern Ballet Theatre’s Dangerous Liaisons takes the form of a series of compelling duets, performed to the narration of the older Marquise de Merteuil played by actress Patricia Doyle. Live on stage she recounts the tale of the ‘spoiling’ of the innocent bride-to-be Cecile Volanges by her younger self and accomplice and ex-lover, the Vicomte de Valmont. Together they prey on the innocent and unsuspecting in a dangerous game of wicked manipulation with their letters providing the dark landscape for highly charged performances choreographed by David Nixon. Music by Vivaldi, performed by the Northern Ballet Theatre orchestra, completes this fascinating portrayal of French aristocracy.

David Nixon said: “The Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont are both predators, of the most decadent type, preying on less artful victims. They are the products of extreme luxury and total liberty, when idle minds had time to plot the ruination of others within their society. The ballet, though true to most of the tale, does take a more segmented approach and is told by the elder Marquise looking back on her cruel actions.”

Actress Patricia Doyle, dramaturge and co-director of the company’s hit ballet A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which performed to sell-out audiences at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in autumn 2003, has had a long and fruitful association with Northern Ballet Theatre. Patricia has worked as drama coach and acting consultant for many of the company’s past productions including Swan Lake, Wuthering Heights, Carmen and A Streetcar Named Desire. RADA trained and an actress in Britain and America for 25 years Patricia has worked with many of the major repertory companies as well as the Royal Court, the National Theatre and with the RSC in Peter Brook’s Dream on its world tour.

Dangerous Liaisons will also be performed at the Theatre Royal, Norwich from 16–20 November on the autumn 2004 tour with further dates to be confirmed for Spring 2005.

For more information/photography or to arrange interviews contact our Media and PR department via email: media@northernballettheatre.co.uk.