There have been a number of interpretations of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos's Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and during Pride week Brighton was treated to Tom Smith's fabulous new gay version.

Featuring a cast of seven good looking, talented and energetic actors, Director Dan Skilli's seductive production has the action moving between modern day London and Brighton.

James Galloway has designed a very clean and simple cream and white set which cleverly adapts for each scene and is complemented by Robert Stemson's effective lighting.

Adam Blake plays a scheming and evil Marcus, with just the right amount of creepiness and slime, who embarks on a sophisticated game of seduction with his friend and confidante, Alexander Valmont - Dominic Coddington - an actor to watch out for, giving a powerful and energetic performance.

Coddington fleshes out the character and gives him a dangerous edge.

The original book had the Visconte de Valmont and the Marquis de Merteuil conducting their game via sealed letters.  Tom Smith has Alexander and Marcus emailikng, texting and providing proof of their conquests via a hidden web cam set up by Graham Townsend's Landon, Alexander's pretty young plaything.

Act One concerns the setup of the plot - Alexander setting out to seduce young gym training Jason, played in comic style by Phil Price, and priest in training Trevor, played with sympathy and vulnerability by Oliver Wallace.

In Act Two, the heat and pace are turned up as the two leading characters bed hop and seduce their way through the cast, with ultimately tragic results.

Tom Smith does give us a hapy ending though, with kind and loveable old Rosemonde, played by Andrew N Hill cutting Marcus out of his will, and leaving everything to the two young lovers.  Jason and music teacher Daniel - talented newcomer Simon Money.

The play sold out during it s initial London run, so if you weren't able to catch it in Brighton, it moves to Camden People's Theatre next month.

Don't miss it!