Dangerous by Tom Smith, Camden People's Theatre, London
London Return Season
Production Dates: September 14 - October 3, 2004
Cast: Adam Blake, Dominic Coddington, Emil Freysson, Andrew N. Hill, Adam Lannon, Simon Money, Phil Price, Graham Townsend, Oliver Wallace
A raunchy, modern day, all male gay version of 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses' by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. Marcus's boyfriend has been caught cheating with Jason, a young gym trainer. Angered, Marcus prompts his friend and confidante, Alexander Valmont, to sleep with Jason, thus humiliating his boyfriend and claiming revenge. Alexander agrees, noting that he himself is trying to win the affections of Trevor, a not yet ordained priest...a DANGEROUS game of LOVE, LUST, SEDUCTION and BETRAYAL follows in this very witty, acidic and compelling new play.
Following a sell-out world premiere season at Barons Court Theatre in London earlier this year, 'Dangerous' transferred to the Marlborough Theatre in Brighton as part of the Pride in Brighton & Hove Festival where it was again hugely successful. Described by The Stage as "titillatingly entertaining" and "cleverly executed" with "powerful" and "masterful" performances, and by REALbrighton.com as "fabulous" and "seductive" in a review finishing with "Don't miss it!", 'Dangerous' received 5 stars from QX magazine in its London return season.
Director: Dan Skili
Producer: Peter Bull & Juhani Naukkarinen for Eureka Theatre Company
Designer: James Galloway
Lighting Designer: Robert Stemson
REAL BRIGHTON
Dangerous...
http://www.realbrighton.com/story/719
venue: Marlborough Bar, Theatre & Cafe
review date: Sunday, 1 August 2004
photos by: James Brooks
Review
There have been a number of interpretations of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos's Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and during Pride week Brighton was treated to Tom Smith's fabulous new gay version.
Featuring a cast of seven good looking, talented and energetic actors, Director Dan Skilli's seductive production has the action moving between modern day London and Brighton .
James Galloway has designed a very clean and simple cream and white set which cleverly adapts for each scene and is complemented by Robert Stemson's effective lighting.
Adam Blake plays a scheming and evil Marcus, with just the right amount of creepiness and slime, who embarks on a sophisticated game of seduction with his friend and confidante, Alexander Valmont - Dominic Coddington - an actor to watch out for, giving a powerful and energetic performance. Coddington fleshes out the character and gives him a dangerous edge.
The original book had the Visconte de Valmont and the Marquis de Merteuil conducting their game via sealed letters. Tom Smith has Alexander and Marcus emailikng, texting and providing proof of their conquests via a hidden web cam set up by Graham Townsend's Landon, Alexander's pretty young plaything.
Act One concerns the setup of the plot - Alexander setting out to seduce young gym training Jason, played in comic style by Phil Price, and priest in training Trevor, played with sympathy and vulnerability by Oliver Wallace.
In Act Two, the heat and pace are turned up as the two leading characters bed hop and seduce their way through the cast, with ultimately tragic results.
Tom Smith does give us a hapy ending though, with kind and loveable old Rosemonde, played by Andrew N Hill cutting Marcus out of his will, and leaving everything to the two young lovers: Jason and music teacher Daniel - talented newcomer Simon Money.
The play sold out during its initial London run, so if you weren't able to catch it in Brighton , it moves to Camden People's Theatre next month.
Don't miss it!
THE STAGE
Dangerous
There have been many variations on Les Liaisons Dangereuses but never one set in the modern day with an all-male cast. The premise is still sexual machinations, only this time the main protagonists are Marcus (Adam Blake) and Alexander (Dominic Coddington).
Things start slowly and the nervous actors take three or four scenes to get into their stride. But as the temperature in the tiny venue increases so does the pace, the intrigue and the quality of the performances. Blake and Coddington do, eventually, steal the show. Their portrayals are powerful and the characters sickening.
Coddington is masterful, his use of facial expressions and puppy dog eyes enticing anyone he desires into his bed and it is initially difficult to believe his Marcus is a calculating manipulator. Ultimately though the battle between the pair is engaging and sorrowful.
Unfortunately David Charlton's Rosemonde is wishy-washy to the extreme and Phil Price's Jason couldn't be more annoying, his attempt at sweet and stupid not really having the desired affect. Atesh Salih, however, plays Alexander's ultimate conquest, Trevor, an un-ordained priest, with a perfect balance of vulnerability and confusion.
The staging is cleverly executed in such a limited space and the use of classical baroque music throughout hints at the play's historic background. Tom Smith's raunchy dialogue helps to make this version titillatingly entertaining .
Rob Speight
Beyond Chron • 'The Voice Of The Rest' • San Francisco's Alternative Online
Daily
"Buzzin" Lee Hartgrave 19.AUG.05
Dangerous at NCTC is Cruel, Catty and Heartless and that is why it is such
a fascinating look at how people manipulate others. The characters are irresistible.
Take Alexander (Donald G. Emmerich) who gets high on his selfish joy as he
goes about his daily routine crossing and double crossing others because he
can do it. He not only is he content to ruin the life of a young priest, he
also leaves sexual conquests everywhere. Alexander’s bed is littered with
broken hearts and ex-virgins. Even when he falls in love with one of his victims,
he can’t admit it, for fear that his counterpart Marcus will find him weak
and not up to the task of ruining everyone in their scheming path.
Marcus is the most cunning, back stabbing bitch that you will ever meet. He’s always stirring the pot always taunting Alexander to ruin more people. Why? Because he has a vested interest in their ruination. Marcus is after money and notoriety. Nothing will prevent him from getting it even if it means the cruel ruination of Alexander.
The story has been told many times. It was told in the Oscar-winning film Dangerous Liaisons and the modernized Cruel intentions. It was a Broadway play (that never played San Francisco) and was usually done about the time period of the 1780’s. This new Gay look of the story is done in modern dress and is set in San Francisco. The clothing is very trendy (especially the duds worn by Marcus), who changes about every five minutes. The story is both dramatic and comedic as it wends its clever way thru a complex relationship between Alexander and Marcus. They once had a fling in the hay, so to speak. Alexander makes a deal with Marcus. He will ruin the reputation of certain people that Marcus wants ruined sexually if he can sleep with Marcus one more time. Talk about a weird and twisted relationship.
The original novel was written by Chodertos de Lacios. It must have set Europe into a tizzy. The delicious concept and the writing are so fresh it is endlessly fascinating. The story fits perfectly in any time frame. Of course what makes all of this work is the wonderfully appealing performances. The acting is flawless and the tension is unbearable. The broken hearts are really on that stage for all to view. This adaptation by Tom Smith is more than excellent. It is Brilliant. The direction by Clay David flows smoothly. I especially liked the blackouts between scenes with the wonderful classical music breaks. Even though Alexander and Marcus are cads and hateful at times, they are also sympathetic at other times. It is this mixture of emotions that pushes and pulls the audience through this sexually charged drama. It certainly is a dangerous combination. But, it is one that is like a magnet. You find yourself on that bed. Believe me!
Also in the cast is Richard Ryan (Rosemonde) a friend of Marcus’ who discovers that he is being used. He is essential to the story and he is a delight. Trevor (Mike Fallon) is the fallen priest, who is ruined by Alexander. You’ll need Kleenex for his emotional performance. Other gems in this great cast are David Kirkpatrick, Nate Levine and Joseph Rende.
We are all callous. This play just shows us how much!
RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! Dangerous is a recipient of the Lee Hartgrave "Fame Award" for best Drama.
SAN FRANCISCO BAY TIMES
Dangerous - Where is the Love?
By Tom W. Kelly
Published: August 18, 2005
Dangerous, currently running at the New Conservatory Theatre, slashes with
razor-sharp claws at the A-gays of San Francisco. In Tom Smith’s modern and
oh-so-gay adaptation of Les Liaisons Dangereuses (novel by Pierre Choderlos
de Laclos), two vicious bitches gleefully perpetrate hateful acts of emotional
violence upon the young innocents around them. Why do they do it? Because
they can.
Gay, rich and handsome Marcus (portrayed by hunky and hirsute Javier Galitó-Cava)
plots with gay, rich and handsome Alexander (roguishly rendered by Donald
G. Emmerich). Marcus will surrender his assets to Alex IF Alex can de-flower
a young mid-Western virgin (Joseph Rende) AND a kind-hearted priest (Mike
Fallon). Strategies are instantaneously formulated and enacted, and immediately
innocence is flung aside with naïve abandon. But where betrayal thrives,
scheming double-crossers make unpredictable bedmates, and everyone ultimately
gets exactly what they deserve. Completing the cast are humpy David Kirkpatrick,
sweet Nate Levine, and distinguished Richard Ryan.
Playwright Smith uses language with incisive eloquence. His clearly-drawn
characters fall into two camps: (1) penultimate manipulators who callously
destroy the lives of those around them, and (2) consummate innocents who believe
everything no matter how dubious the sources. At its best, Dangerous is a
cautionary tale, but at its worst, it’s a powerful portrait of internalized
homophobia. Hey, who needs straight people to bash us (or depict us as shallow,
vapid, selfish fags) when we can do it ourselves, and so much more succinctly?
A warts and all portrayal of the gay community (and/or life) is certainly
valid, but more than once during the show it seemed that a camp version might
provide the same insights in a more comfortable format.
Clay David directs this machiavellian morality tale with severity, yet wisely
grants the audience occasional moments of comic relief. With lots of imagination
(and onstage furniture), he swiftly flies from location to location with a
minimum of black-out time. Also, director David (and Eric Phanngogavong) assembled
the wildly trendy costumes that lend the appropriate flavor to each character.
The set design by Bruce Walters is a bit crowded, but manages to provide a
plethora of posh settings in this episodic story. Lighting by John Kelly and
sound by Ted Crimy classily complete the show’s look and feel.
Not exactly the perfect date play, Dangerous is a well-written peek into a
disturbing world. Be afraid, be very afraid. Take your long-term lover, hold
onto him/her tightly, and be glad for what you have. It’s a dark journey into
our community that ultimately denounces self-destructive behavior and ironically
encourages our shared humanity and most of all, love.
Dangerous plays until Sept. 11 at the New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25
Van Ness Ave., SF. Tickets ($26-$38) are available by calling 861-8972 or
go to www.nctcsf.org.
By Merle Yost, Publisher EastBay Voice
Opening the 10th Pride Season: Ties that Bind for the New Conservatory Theatre
Center is the West Coast Premiere of Tom Smith's Dangerous and all-male version
of Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
A fun, silly romp of high drama with a drag queen sensibility, Tom Smith has captured the big city bored, vacuous, wealthy perfectly. Overall it is a really good ensemble drama with one major weakness.
Dangerous is mostly faithful to the original story with appropriate changes for San Francisco and an all-male cast. The only weakness in the script was a lack of telling us why it was so important for Marcus to inherit Rosemonde's money. There seemed to be little to no motivation for both his efforts to get it or why his comeuppance was so devastating. I understood it from the original material, but it is the most lacking part of this script.
Javier Galito-Cava as Marcus was picture perfect. He looked the role and convinced us that he was that beautiful, seductive, and manipulative. I only wish that he had more stage time as he was a joy to watch, and it did not matter what he was doing: he was simply a joy to watch.
The cast, for the most part, hit the right notes. Mike Fallon as Trevor, the closeted gay priest, conveyed the innocence and conflict that pulled us into caring about him. David Kirkpatrick as Landon was appropriately beautiful and made all of us wish that he were our personal assistant. Nate Levine and Joseph Rende , as Daniel and Jason, were wonderful as the ingénues. Amusing and played with the right amount of innocence, they are the boys that we all want chained to our beds to preserve their innocence, of course.
There are two large problems with the production. The room is too small for the show. This show is high drag and is bigger than life, and it is crowded onto this small stage. This show needs a larger canvas to be staged and enjoyed. In the words of the director, each scene is a jewel on a larger jewel box. There are many shining moments that would be so much more effective with more distance from the audience.
The second production problem was the complete lack of nudity. This show is begging for naked boys running round. The efforts that were taken to avoid showing a penis were distracting and counter-productive to the show's over the top feel. It is hopeful that as the show ages over the next four weeks that the cast will relax and open up both physically and emotionally to let this show be over the top in the way that it deserves. This is a group of really beautiful men in a play about sex, seduction, and deception. Of course there should be nudity, and lots of it.
I believe that the cast will season like good wine and that the play will only get better as it progresses over the next couple of weeks. Go enjoy a solid opening of the new Pride season at New Conservatory Theatre.
The New Conservatory Theatre Center
Dangerous
Written by Tom Smith, adapted from Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Directed by Clay David
August 6-September 11, 2005
Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 2 pm
New Conservatory Theatre Center
25 Van Ness Ave @ Market
San Francisco
415.861.8972
http://www.nctcsf.org
V.15 No.15 | April 13 - 19, 2006
Performance Review, Albuquerque Alibi
Love is War
Dangerous at Sol Arts
By Steven Robert Allen
Intimate human relationships are always a tricky business. Throw a little romance and sex into the mix, and some degree of heartache and pain is almost inevitable. We're built to love, though—most of us, anyway—so there's no sense in whining too much. If we fall flat on our faces, over and over again, we usually have no one to blame but ourselves.
At SolArts you'll find a completely different take on romance—if you can call
it that—with New Mexico playwright Tom Smith's Dangerous. The play premiered
in San Francisco and London. This marks the first time it's been staged in
New Mexico.
The script is a very clever reimagining of the movie Dangerous Liaisons, using
entirely gay male characters. The translation of this intricate tale of sexual
manipulation and betrayal to the homosexual world works shockingly well. Some
of the performances here were slightly uneven, but the production in general
has a campy entertainment value that's infectious.
Smith's updating of the action to incorporate modern communication technology
is particularly ingenious. (The original novel on which the movie was based
is related entirely in letters.) Directors Laira Morgan and Christy Lopez
work this aspect into their production brilliantly. In other ways, too, fans
of the movie will be amused by the almost scene-by-scene reconfiguration of
the story from screen to stage.
Dangerous, a play by Tom Smith directed by Laira Morgan and Christy Lopez, runs through April 23 at SolArts (712 Central SE). Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. $10 general, $8 students/seniors. 244-0049.
Albuquerque Journal
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
'Dangerous' Adds All-Male Twist
By Barry Gaines
For the Journal
Ever since its publication in 1782, Pierre Choderlos de Laclos's novel "Les liaisons dangereuses" has held a strange, perverse fascination. This study of the dissolute depravity of the idle rich just before the French Revolution features cruelty, seduction, betrayal and revenge. No wonder it has been translated into other languages.
In "Dangerous" at Sol Arts, directors Christy Lopez and Laira Morgan present Tom Smith's treatment of the story in a gay setting, complete with gratuitous nudity. "Dangerous Liaisons" meets "Queer as Folk."
The original epistolary novel was a series of letters, and this reworking uses e-mail messages and cell phones as the modern equivalents.
Marcus is spending time with aging and ailing Rosemonde in hopes of inheriting his wealth. He hatches other plots as well. To spite a former lover, Marcus engages Alexander to seduce the innocent Jason. Alexander undertakes the challenge, but he has his eye on Trevor, a pious parish-or-perish priest-in-training. And Jason is attracted to choir director Daniel.
With the help of Marcus, Alexander uses guile and deceit to bed Jason; Trevor, however, offers a greater challenge. Alexander is up to that task as well, but as he persuades Trevor to abandon his celibacy and his soul, Alex feels an emotion uncomfortably close to love, which he disdains.
The rest of the plot is a series of humiliations and betrayals as the characters pursue personal power over others.
Bradd Howard portrays the despicable Marcus with a serpentine sensuality. Slim and sinuous, his character delights in manipulation.
A.J. Carian is a likeable Jason, projecting the excitement and uncertainty that accompany first love. His starts and pauses, grimaces and grins slow the play's flow but appear honest.
Daniel, Jason's lover, is played with understatement by Joseph West, while the sugar-daddy queen Rosemonde is played without understatement by Kevin Cassell.
As Alexander, Andrew Leith is a strangely detached villain. He carries out his cruel intentions with few glimmers of joy or disgust.
I found Blake Catherwood's Trevor moving. Tall and handsome, Catherwood captures the confusion of the acolyte trying to hold his sexuality at bay— and failing.
"Dangerous" is old vinegar in a new bottle.