One gorgeous man, four beautiful women. A maze of sexual infidelity and aristocratic conspiracy. Steven Stead must surely be the envy of all hot-blooded men having "liaisons" with some of Durban's most beautiful actresses - Clare Mortimer, Belinda Henwood and talented newcomers Josette Eales and Janna Ramos-Violante - in the sexy new production of Dangerous Liaisons which comes to the KwaSuka Theatre from next Tuesday.
Set in pre-revolutionary France, Christopher Hampton's brilliant tale of sexual betrayal, treachery and intrigue is the original play on which the films Dangerous Liaisons and later Cruel Intentions were based. The play is directed by Greg King and Stead.
Stead returns home to Durban to participate in this project - both as a performer and a co-producer. Currently based in London, Stead comes to Durban once or twice a year to get involved with interesting theatre projects, most recently the intriguing Run To Ground, the premiere of the English version of Reza de Wet's play which was staged at the KwaSuka in June last year.
After Run To Ground, Stead returned to the UK to direct the world premiere of a new opera based on Chekov's short story, The Black Monk. He translated two of De Wet's plays, Missing and Miracle, which were published by Oberon Books in London.
Since Run To Ground, Stead has directed La Traviata for Opera Africa in April 2004 in the Pretoria State Theatre. Back in London, he directed Ernani for English National Opera in May this year.
Stead is excited about Dangerous Liaisons. "It has been far too long since Durban has seen such a sumptuous sexy costume drama. I should think it is over a decade since we last saw something of this scale - along the lines of Charley's Aunty or Amadeus staged by the then-NAPAC Drama."
"We chose to stage it as it is one of those plays that makes you want to go back to the theatre. The immediacy, tension and sexiness makes you understand what theatre has that film doesn't. It is the biggest production to be staged at the KwaSuka, with a cast of 12 of which nine parts are major speaking roles."
Much care has been taken with the look, feel and texture of the production. Costumes have been designed by much-applauded top Durban designer Terrence Bray, and Greg King has designed the set. The production uses a fantastic tapestry of cream, gold and black with expensive luxurious fabrics and furnishings that project a real sense of elegant decadence.
The cast is Stead playing the plum role (enjoyed by John Malkovich in the screen version); Henwood (playing the role Michele Pfeiffer played); Mortimer (playing Glenn Close's fabulous role of the Marquise); Vera Clare (as Stead's aunt, Madame de Rosemonde); Neil Coppen as Danceny (played by Keanu Reeves); Bryan Hiles plays Azolan - Stead's manservant, and Phillipa Savage plays Cecile's mother.
The two exciting rising stars are Eales, who plays the courtesan Emilie, and Vilante, who plays 15-year-old Cecile who Steven seduces (this was Uma Thurman's screen debut).
Also in the cast are Carol Trench, Donnaugh Roberts, Alison Cassels and Thomie Holtshausen.
Stead's character Valmont is an archetypal cad. "My character is a scoundrel. He has liaisons with all four leading women: Belinda, Clare, Janna and Josette. Working with such wonderful performers is a real privilege. Clare plays as corrupt a character as mine. The attraction we share is cerebral and intellectual. We are well-matched equals. Clare is an intelligent actress. It is great to have her perform opposite me.
"Belinda plays my true love, Tourvel, who is morally upright and religious with an underlying passion. Belinda is perfect for this role. Josette plays a courtesan. My relationship with her is anything but platonic! She is good fun as an actress - she is uninhibited which makes her easy to work with in this context.
"Janna plays an intensely curious 15-year-old virgin. Her acting skills are phenomenal. I have enjoyed watching her develop and grow in the role - she is thoroughly convincing as a gawky teenager."
Stead and the leading ladies get to strip down for their roles. "It is not easy to take our kit off, but the play demands it. It is performed with amazing maturity. It is just such a pity we are doing this during chilly July!"
The tender scenes are even more intimate as the KwaSuka has been reconfigured so there are seats on three sides. This creates a very intimate performing space.
Steven graduated from UND with an honours degree in drama in 1991. Since then he has worked extensively in the theatre as an actor and a director in South Africa and abroad in genres ranging from cabaret to drama and opera.
His South African stage roles have included Peter Pan (NAPAC and CAPAB), Puck (The Dream NAPAC), Patrick Snr (Mama, CAPAB) Peyter (Anne Frank, CAPAB), Perchik (Fiddler On The Roof, PACOFS), and Ariel (The Tempest, CAPAB) for which he won the Cape Vita Award for best supporting actor in 1994.
Most recently Steven played Hamlet for Themi Venturas Productions in Durban for which he won the KZN Vita Award for best actor 2001.
Roles in the UK include Hamlet (Cambridge Shakespeare Festival); Gaveston (Edward 11 Kings Head); Mordred (Camelot, Covent Garden Festival) and Prince Charming (Cinderella - International Artists). Since settling in the UK in 1995 he has predominantly worked as a director, especially of opera.
Productions have included The Marriage Of Figaro, Falstaff and La Traviata for English National Opera, Alcing (Bilbao Opera) Cosi (Opera Mobile) and Macbeth, Nabucco and Popea (Opera Integra); and Weil Bodies (Athens). Most recently he was the associate director of the new West End musical Our House which won the Olivier Award for best musical this year.
Booking for Dangerous Liaisons is through Computicket at 011 340 8000 or Greg at 083 544 2006.
Performances are at 8pm from Tuesday to Saturday. During the run, there are no shows on Sunday or Monday. There is one matinee performance on August 7 at 2pm. There are special low-price previews this Saturday at 8pm, this Sunday at 2pm and July 26 at 8pm. The official gala opening is on July 27 at 8pm where ticket price includes snacks and an after-show party with the cast. The season runs until August 14.
- Please note the production contains nudity and is suggested for adult audiences only.