THEATER REVIEW / ‘LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES’ : Story of Sexual Intrigue Has a Timeless Appeal : Strong characterizations in the Moorpark College production bring a sense of fun to the satirical view of the French ruling class.

A satirical look at the French ruling class, “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” was a scandalous novel when first published in 1783. Its accounts of double-dealing and sexual intrigue among the haves must have hit the have-nots--those who could read, at least--much like an unauthorized biography of Donald Trump would strike today’s readers.

British playwright Christopher Hampton’s 1985 hit dramatization, playing at Moorpark College, ends this weekend. The production by the college’s drama department is a lot of fun, a refreshing change from most costume dramas.

The Marquise is a nasty manipulator by any standard, and her latest targets include her former lover, Valmont. A dashing and cocky fellow, Valmont prides himself on the number of his sexual conquests, and on his ability to avoid further involvement.

The Marquise bets him that he can’t seduce young Cecile, whose fiance is set upon marrying a virgin. In the meantime, the bedhopping viscount has begun to find himself falling in love, much against his will, with the seemingly untouchable Mme. de Tourvel. High jinks ensue.

Hampton’s version of Choderlos de Laclos’ novel debuted at the Stratford Festival in England. Evidently, sexual intrigue in pre-Revolutionary France continues to hold appeal: The play soon moved to London’s West End, Broadway, and the screen, where the filmed version--”Dangerous Liaisons,” starring Glenn Close as the Marquise--won an Academy Award as Best Picture of 1989.

It’s a durable property: A modern-dress version had been filmed by French director Roger Vadim, starring Jeanne Moreau, in 1959, and Annette Bening and Colin Firth played the lead characters in Milos Forman’s 1989 “Valmont,” set in the 18th Century.

Moorpark director Katherine Lewis has staged the play simply and effectively, with minimal use of accents by the cast helping make the play easily comprehensible to contemporary audiences.

Nicci Yaro and James Montante star as the Marquise and Valmont, smug aristocrats with entirely too much time on their hands. Preferring intellectual games to lawn tennis, and with Trivial Pursuit several centuries away from being invented, they content themselves with manipulating others’ lives.

The fact that the Marquise had once been Valmont’s mistress makes this particular game all the more interesting to her.

Colleen Ogilvie and Kimberly C. Sumpter co-star as the fetching (and, as it turns out, only too willing) Cecile and the demure object of Valmont’s passion, Mme. de Tourvel, and Rich Scheirmann is featured as the cuckold Danceny.

Convincing performances by the leading characters overshadow some weaker work in the ranks: Yaro and Montante come close to igniting sparks as the Marquise and Valmont, and Ogilvie and Sumpter contrast nicely with one another as the giddy young Cecile and the reserved, yet passionate Mme. de Tourvel. Scheirmann makes the somewhat underwritten Danceny a sympathetic character.

Vicki Baker is credited with the handsome costumes; Frank Audouy is set, program and poster designer; Angela Denny and Kimberley Mattingley are the scenic artists; and Mary Dempsey is charged with responsibility for wardrobe, hair and makeup.

Details

* WHAT: “Les Liaisons Dangereuses”

* WHEN: At 7 tonight through Saturday and at 8 Friday and Saturday nights.

* WHERE: Moorpark College Forum Theater, on the Moorpark College campus.

* COST: Tickets are $8; $7 for students and seniors.

* FYI: Tonight’s performance will be followed by a group discussion led by Moorpark College instructor Mimi Kairschner “regarding gender issues raised by the play.” For reservations or further information, call 378-1468.