The Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont are a pair of schemers (and former lovers) who take pleasure in coolly manipulating and seducing those around them, leaving scandal, dishonour and outrage in their wake. The Marquise challenges the Vicomte to seduce the virtuous Madame de Tourvel, but when the latter breaks the rules and finds himself genuinely falling in love with his intended prey, the game quickly turns fatal--with devastating consequences for everyone involved. Here, sex is a game and death is but a means of keeping score.

Director Marine’s previous production at the Segal, the Prix de la Critique award winning Amadeus, was an unqualified success and demonstrated his unique creativity in staging large scale period plays, particularly the decadent period of the late eighteenth century. Dangerous Liaisons will offer audiences another opportunity to experience Marine’s directorial talent. Bryna Wasserman, the Segal Centre’s Artistic and Executive Director, was never in doubt as to who should direct this opening play of the Segal’s 08-09 season. “I couldn’t be more confident in having Sasha leading this production, she said. It’s a large scale, challenging play, but with his innovative eye and mastery of the physical aspect of the theatre, I’m certain his perspective will bring it to life in the most distinct and imaginative ways.”

“This play and its themes of sex, power and manipulation are universal, we’re still playing by the same rules as two centuries ago,” said Marine in expressing the timelessness of the play. “You need look no further than today’s news, at how little time is taken up by actual news versus tabloid sex scandals.” As well, this late twentieth century stage adaptation of a late eighteenth century novel will astonish today’s audience with how powerful and liberated the women are in the play. Madame de Merteuil matches her adversary Valmont move for move in this game of love, passion and domination.

As part of a truly international cast, Brett Christopher (a one man tour-de-force in the Segal’s I Am My Own Wife) stars as the Vicomte de Valmont. Catherine de Sevè (hugely popular for L’auberge du chien noir on SRC, here in her first English stage role) enthralls as the Marquise de Merteuil.

For tickets and/or additional information, call the Box Office: (514) 739-7944 www.segalcentre.org or Admission (514) 790-1245 www.admission.com

The Segal Centre for Performing Arts at the Saidye is located at 5170 Cote St. Catherine Rd.

(Source:The Segal Centre for Performing Arts at the Saidye)