A major theatrical revival is confirmed for the National Theatre's 2026 season, with Christopher Hampton's celebrated adaptation of Les Liaisons Dangereuses returning to the London stage.
A Classic Returns to the South Bank
The National Theatre has announced a significant new production of Christopher Hampton's Les Liaisons Dangereuses, scheduled to open in January 2026. This revival marks a highly anticipated return for the play, which first premiered at the same venue in 1985 to critical and public acclaim.
Based on the 1782 French epistolary novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, Hampton's adaptation became a defining theatrical work of the late 20th century. Its story of seduction, manipulation, and revenge among the aristocracy remains powerfully resonant.
Details of the 2026 Production
The production is set to begin performances on 13 January 2026. While casting for the iconic roles of the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont has not yet been revealed, the announcement alone has generated considerable excitement within the theatre community.
Christopher Hampton, the playwright, is intimately connected to the work. His adaptation not only triumphed on stage but also formed the basis for the Oscar-winning 1988 film Dangerous Liaisons, starring Glenn Close, John Malkovich, and Michelle Pfeiffer.
Anticipation and Legacy
The return of Les Liaisons Dangereuses to the National Theatre is seen as a landmark event for 2026's cultural calendar. It promises to reintroduce Hampton's sharp, witty, and devastating dialogue to a new generation of theatregoers.
The original production's success cemented the play's status as a modern classic, and this revival is expected to draw significant attention, analysing the timeless themes of power, gender, and moral corruption through a contemporary lens.
With the National Theatre's commitment to staging definitive productions, this revival of Les Liaisons Dangereuses is poised to be one of the must-see theatre events in London for the 2026 season.
