This wonderful play is the story of the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont, two narcissistic rivals (and ex-lovers) who use seduction as a weapon to socially control and exploit others, all the while enjoying their cruel games and boasting about their manipulative talents.
Characters:
La Marquise De Merteuil: 35-50. wealthy widow, cunning, “virtuoso of deceit”
Mme De Volanges: 35-50. Merteuil’s cousin, also a widow
Cecile Volanges: 20-25. Volanges’s daughter, attractive girl of 15
Major-Domo: 25-55. Well groomed member of Merteuil’s household
Le Vicomte De Valmont: 30-45. Charming, elegant, and manipulative
Azolan: 20-35. Valmont’s valet de chamber, a dapper young man
Mme De Rosemonde: 50-70. Valmont’s aunt, 84 years old, intelligent, practical, lively
La Presidente De Tourvel: 20-35. young friend of Rosemonde, moral and upstanding
Emilie: 20-35. A courtesan
Le Chevalier Danceny: 20-30. Knight of Malta, handsome and naïve young man courting Cecile