VIDEO: Playwright Christopher Hampton Explains The Scandalous History of LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES

When Christopher Hampton's sardonic drama of sex and revenge, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, first hit Broadway in 1987 it caused quite a stir, but it was nothing compared with the scandal that erupted when the play's source, Choderlos de Laclos' novel of sex, intrigue and betrayal, first made its way around France in 1782.

In the video, Hampton explains how Les Liaisons Dangereuses was the author's only novel. He was a career soldier looking for a way to alleviate his boredom. While the book was extraordinarily popular, people would often read it secretly or risked being judged as deviant.

Les Liaisons Dangereuses begins performances on Saturday, October 8, 2016 and will open on Sunday, October 30, 2016 at the Booth Theatre (222 W 45th St). This is a 15-week only engagement through Sunday, January 22, 2017. Tickets are now available throughTelecharge.com and by calling 212-239-6200 and in person at the Booth Theatre box office. Group bookings are currently available through Telecharge.com Group Sales at 212-239-6262 o r800-432-7780.

Janet McTeer will play "La Marquise de Merteuil," Liev Schreiber will play "Le Vicomte de Valmont," Birgitte Hjort Sørensen will play "Madame de Tourvel" and Mary Beth Peil will play "Madame de Rosemonde."

Les Liaisons Dangereuses will be produced on Broadway by Arielle Tepper Madover.

Former lovers, La Marquise de Merteuil and Le Vicomte de Valmont compete in games of seduction and revenge. These merciless aristocrats toy with the hearts and reputations of innocents. Merteuil incites Valmont to corrupt the convent-educated Cecile de Volanges before her wedding night but Valmont has other designs. His target is the peerlessly virtuous and happily married Madame de Tourvel.