Les Liaisons Dangereuses: Three Muses Productions

Since time immemorial, drama has dealt with those issues that have most preoccupied humanity: our place in the universe, the role of truth in our lives, and (of course) how do we as a species treat our intimate assignations. Le Liaisons Dangereuses, presented by Three Muses Productions at the Indigo Arts Station this weekend, delves most deeply into this final question and examines precisely how seriously this sort of thing must be taken.

Stepping away from a romantic tradition and walking far more firmly in the tradition of Arthur Schnitzler's La Ronde, Merteuil (Ellie Pyle) and Valmont (David Bonham) combat one another in a series of high-stakes games and challenges involving sex. However, though Schnitzler provides a candid view into sexual relations, Liaisons playwright Christopher Hampton provides the audience with no reason whatsoever to care about either of the protagonists on the stage.

Though the script is an award winner (also boasting a slew of nominations lost to true jewels like Fences and Boeing-Boeing) it is perhaps one of the most problematic aspects of the production. Reprehensible characters with vague motives, a highly episodic plot (far better designed for film), and a disturbingly cavalier attitude towards rape make for a great deal of discomfort. And though the piece is ostensibly about seduction and sex, it tends to bump forward with the austerity of a work by Wagner or Smetana when it would be far better served by the coital rhythms of Ravel's Boléro.

As anybody who has even entertained the idea of making love at one time or another instinctively knows, rhythm is all important in cases like this. And it takes the cast a few scenes to finally settle into something that is ultimately pleasing. From the distracting flicking of fans and mannerisms taking the lead over simple storytelling, the cast simply seems to have a bit of trouble finding that pleasing tempo.

However, let it be said that, once it is found, it pays dividends for both cast and audience. When the truly ribald innuendo and entendre begin to fly, the work becomes truly enjoyable. Savannah theatre veteran Gail Byrd (Rosemonde) is always a delight. Mr. Bonham and Corinna Rezzelle (Tourvel) have excellent byplay while Ms. Pyle depicts the black widow, spinning her webs.

Given that this is the first Three Muses production, we here at The Savannah Dramaturgy are eager to see what the next project will be coming next.

By Christopher Hampton, adapted from the book by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos; directed by Jackie Gordon; A Three Muses Productions production. At the Indigo Arts Freight Station, 703D Louisville Road, Savannah; (912) 713-1137. June 24-26.

WITH: Ellie Pyle (La Marquise de Merteuil), Catherine Killingsworth (Madame de Volanges), Madeline O'Hara (Cecile Volanges), David Bonham (Le Vicomte de Valmont), Justin Usary (Azolan), Gail Byrd (Madame de Rosemonde), Corinne Rezzelle (La Presidente de Tourvel), Eve Butler (Emilie), Cooper Westbrook (Le Chevalier Danceny), Zach Blaylock (Majordomo), Hannah Hyde (Julie).