Liam Scarlett’s Dangerous Liaisons shows at the Playhouse Theatre, QPAC with Camerata - Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra from the 22nd March until the 6th April, 2019. This fantastic co-production between Queensland Ballet and Texas Ballet Theater that is currently showing at QPAC all began with Les Liaisons Dangereuses which was written by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. What a show and what an opening night to witness this fantastic contemporary take of a work originally from the 1700s. With strong themes of love, lust and desire - this daring ballet also seamlessly incorporates the accompanying darker elements to these given aspects.
What Artistic Director Li Cunxin has in store for audiences this year for Queensland Ballet let alone with Dangerous Liaisons? One must see for themselves why this beautiful ballet defies all stereotypes and expectations to present something truly spectacular. From the very first note from Camerata - Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra I could immediately feel the tone of the ballet, and it was surprisingly dark and twisted but beautifully poetic. The orchestral music involved in the Dangerous Liaisons production was expertly conducted by Nigel Gaynor, perfectly arranged by Martin Yates and craftily composed by Camille Saint-Saëns. Whilst I was only one note into the show I could immediately grasp the feeling of what was to come, and I wasn’t even halfway through Act One yet!
Kendall Smith’s lighting design went hand in hand with Tracy Grant Lord’s costume and set design. This particular combination was truly something to witness as the set design was era-specific and grand in size, making for an effortless transition for the audience into this period in time, whilst the subtle and poetic lighting danced upon the marvellous costumes on each and every performer. It is a rare thing to have every element of production so precisely in tune with every other element in play, but Dangerous Liaisons does this with little to no effort, it is clear to see there is a very talented team behind this production and I look forward to seeing more from the Queensland Ballet this year as this was a powerful and dare I say ‘sexy’ start to the year for ballet performance at QPAC.
The storyline is somewhat complex as there are many characters involved but have no fear if you’re new to the Ballet arena - you can collect a complimentary program and have a read through before you even enter the show. With Ballet there is traditionally no speaking, as this is the magic of visual storytelling and the art of dance, there need not be any talking at all for a story to be communicated. This is the marvellous part about Dangerous Liaisons, the messages and themes are so strongly communicated, and displayed quite dramatically, that you can still make sense of the actions without reading the program.
Personally, I do prefer to read about each Act before I enter the show as I want to understand the context of the characters and the world they are in, and you are encouraged to do so with complimentary programs handed out as you enter QPAC. Newcomers, do not be afraid of the unknown and join in for a magnificent evening crafted by talented individuals who have crafted a show that will absolutely take your breath away. The story ultimately comes down to the intricacies of character dynamics and explores the elements of a criss-crossed love triangle. As the performers leap and bound across the delicately lit stage with ravishing costumes on display, it is clear that this artform and Dangerous Liaisons itself, deserves all the recognition it can get. It’s not everyday that you get the opportunity to watch performers communicate grand tales of love, lust and loss through their most preferred element of dance, ballet in this case.
The ballet is entangled with rich Aristocratic French characters such as widow Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil and Vicomte Sébastian de Valmont, who weave a tangled web of lies to seduce the bride-to-be Cécile Volanges on the basis of revenge. In a climactic finale, Merteuil discovers a pile of letters written secretly between Valmont and Madame de Tourvel and must face her own fate in this heart-shattering moment. A rich-in-flavour ballet that will have you on the edge of your seat, come along to the night of your life to experience the most magnificent ballet to start off the year. Open your heart and mind and share this experience with Brisbane audiences to what is a phenomenal production on every level.
22 March - 6 April
Playhouse Theatre, QPAC
Joanna Letic