The Play: 

“Among the glittering salons of the aristocracy, patriarchy equals power, reputation is everything – and for women, one misstep can mean ruin. Marquise de Merteuil, master in the art of survival, wields her influence with intelligence and control. Alongside the magnetic Vicomte de Valmont, they turn seduction into strategy and weaponize desire. But when their alliance collapses into rivalry, the battle between them threatens to destroy everyone in their path."

Character Breakdown
6 F and 2 M 
Marquise de Merteuil playing age mid 30s – 50

A brilliant, intelligent widow who masks ruthless ambition behind elegance and self control. Merteuil is a master manipulator who views relationships as games of power. Unlike Valmont, she must operate within the limits placed on women in aristocratic society, which makes her strategies more subtle—and arguably more dangerous. She values independence above all else and is driven by pride, revenge, and domination.
Key traits: calculating, charismatic, strategic, emotionally guarded
Dramatic function: mastermind and moral opposite to Madame de Tourvel

Vicomte de Valmont playing age 30s - 40

A notorious libertine who delights in seduction as proof of his superiority. Valmont is witty, charming, and outwardly confident, yet increasingly conflicted as genuine feeling intrudes on his cynical worldview. His pursuit of virtue becomes more dangerous when he begins to desire what he initially intended to destroy.
Key traits: seductive, arrogant, conflicted, theatrical
Dramatic function: catalyst for the plot’s emotional and moral collapse

Madame de Tourvel playing age mid 20s – mid 30s

A married woman of impeccable virtue and deep religious conviction. Tourvel believes in moral absolutes and genuine love, making her vulnerable in a society built on deceit. Her emotional journey—from certainty to doubt to devastation—is the play’s moral centre.
Key traits: sincere, devout, emotionally open, principled
Dramatic function: embodiment of virtue and moral consequence

Cécile de Volanges playing age 18

A young, convent educated girl recently introduced to society. Naïve and romantic, Cécile is easily influenced and lacks the emotional tools to protect herself. She becomes a pawn in Merteuil’s schemes, and a clear example of innocence exploited.
Key traits: innocent, impressionable, curious, emotionally immature
Dramatic function: victim of manipulation; consequence of unchecked corruption

Chevalier Danceny playing age 20s

A young, idealistic musician genuinely in love with Cécile. Danceny believes in honour, romance, and sincerity, which makes him ill equipped to navigate aristocratic intrigue. His moral outrage later contrasts sharply with his earlier innocence.
Key traits: earnest, romantic, principled, youthful
Dramatic function: foil to Valmont; represents naïve idealism

Madame de Volanges playing age mid 30s - 50

Cécile’s well meaning but complacent mother. She trusts societal conventions and fails to recognise the danger posed by Merteuil and Valmont, despite suspecting their reputations.
Key traits: respectable, cautious, socially conventional
Dramatic function: ironic enabler of the tragedy

Madame de Rosemonde playing age 60+

Valmont’s elderly aunt, kind hearted and morally aware. She functions as an observer of events and occasionally voices ethical judgement, though she lacks the power to intervene.
Key traits: dignified, perceptive, gentle
Dramatic function: moral observer and commentator

Émilie playing age 20s – mid 30s

A courtesan and former lover of Valmont. Practical and emotionally detached, she highlights Valmont’s habitual treatment of relationships as transactions.
Key traits: pragmatic, sensual, emotionally guarded
Dramatic function: reinforces the culture of moral detachment