An Interview with Josie Rourke

THE INTERVAL: Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Christopher Hampton, based on the 18th century novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, premiered in the UK in 1985, and since then has had two Broadway productions and a major production at the Sydney Theatre Company, was made into a film with the same title, and adapted into another film called Cruel Intentions. All of those productions were directed by men. The new Broadway production, which comes by way of the Donmar Warehouse in London, is the first major production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses to be helmed by a woman: Josie Rourke. Josie, in addition to being a director, is also the Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse—their first female artistic director. Prior to that, she was Artistic Director of The Bush Theatre. Her work as a director includes The Vote, Privacy, and If There Is I Haven’t Found it Yet, among others. During previews, we spoke to her about bringing Les Liaisons Dangereuses to Broadway at this particular moment in history, the sexual politics of the play, her work as Artistic Director, and more.