Madame de Sade
Madame de Sade is the controversial play written by Yukio Mishima. The play was written in Japanese and received negativity when it was first shown in Japan in 1965. The play was particularly provocative as it discussed issues of the French revolution and a monstrous man and his actions.
The writer, Yukio Mishima, committed suicide five years after the play had been written. It is believed that the suicide was an attempt to revive the Japanese Samurai spirit. Due to this particularly dramatic end to Mishima’s life the play has received greater attention as the controversial issues raised come without explanation.
The play is currently running at Wyndham’s Theatre as part of the Donmar Warehouse season which is a not for profit theatre company who’s work has been regarded as excellent for bringing forth new talent and encouraging works such as Madame de Sade. Dame Judi Dench in currently staring in the production of Madame De Sade at Wyndham’s Theatre.
The play is running until 23rd May 2009. The play documents the conversation of six women that have encountered Marquis de Sade, including his wife, as they tell their story behind Marquis’ sentencing at Bastille for crimes of perversion.