Monica Barbaro wrapped her stage debut in Les Liaisons Dangereuses at London’s National Theatre, with the production closing on June 6, 2026, after a run that began March 21. The American actress, best known for her Oscar-nominated role as Joan Baez in A Complete Unknown, played Madame de Tourvel, the virtuous woman caught in a seduction plot orchestrated by the libertine Valmont.
Directed by Marianne Elliott, who returned to the National Theatre after nine years away, the production starred Lesley Manville as the Marquise de Merteuil and Aidan Turner as Valmont. Elliott’s staging reconfigured Christopher Hampton’s 1985 adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ epistolary novel for the MeToo generation, centering the dynamics of power and control between men and women in a world of wealth and moral emptiness.
Barbaro’s performance drew particular praise from critics. WhatsOnStage’s review noted she played Madame de Tourvel “with tremulous directness, a woman genuinely surprised by the strength of her feelings, and desperate to escape them.” The review highlighted a standout moment in which choreographer Tom Jackson Greaves’ movement design set her “racing in a circle around the stage, frantically running away from the world” to close the first act. Plays International described her as making “an assured stage debut as the tragically conflicted Madame de Tourvel,” while a Theatre Reviews Hub critic wrote that the cast was “excellent particularly Manville, Turner and Barbaro.”
Barbaro trained in dance at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, a background that informed her physical performance in the role. Her transition to the London stage marked a significant career milestone after a decade of film and television work. Before Les Liaisons Dangereuses, she gained widespread recognition for her performance as the folk icon Joan Baez in James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
The National Theatre production itself received strong reviews overall. Critics praised Manville and Turner’s performances as complex and deeply felt. Elliott’s direction and the fluid set design by Rosanna Vize—featuring constantly moving mirrors and walls—created a sumptuous visual world that emphasized the voyeuristic and manipulative nature of the characters’ schemes. The production will continue to reach audiences through National Theatre Live cinema screenings beginning June 25, 2026, extending the reach of Barbaro’s stage debut beyond London theatregoers.
Sources
- WhatsOnStage — Review of Les Liaisons Dangereuses with Monica Barbaro’s stage debut performance and directorial approach
- Plays International — Review noting Barbaro’s assured stage debut as Madame de Tourvel
- National Theatre (official) — Artist biography confirming Barbaro’s training and role in the production
- West End Theatre — Cast information and production details
- Theatre Reviews Hub — Review praising the cast including Barbaro
- Deadline — Coverage of Barbaro’s National Theatre debut announcement
- Playbill — Cast completion announcement for the National Theatre revival
