'Madame De Sade' at Wyndham's Theatre

Continuing the series of plays at Wyndham's Theatre under the Donmar in the West End banner is 'Madame De Sade' by Yukio Mishima. It's a play for six women and that, in itself, makes it a bit different.

It's the tale of the Marquis De Sade's excesses told from the point of view of the women in his family by marriage and their acquaintances. It opens with two friends of the family waiting in a large and bare drawing room talking about the reasons for his arrest, deliciously describing the pervertions and whips and aniseed sweets laced with aphrodisiac. This sets a theme in the play since every now and then one of the women takes control of the stage to declaim loudly about whips and blood and the latest scandalous revelations, and the lighting changes to emphasise that character. It's a trifle predictable really and why does it take so many words to describe an orgy each time? I suppose that's a sign of the age of the play - back in the '60s it would probably be a bit shocking but today, at least the way some of the audience were laughing, it's just a bit titilating.

It's a play in three short acts spread over 18 years with a total running time of 1:45 hours. Each time the year changes we see the women in different lavish frocks and wigs to reinforce the time shift. The drawing room stays exactly the same, however, although the lighting changes. It's a nice set and nice costumes but that seems to emphaise how much needs to come from the characters to make the play work. The play has had mixed reviews and I can understand that. Judi Dench is exactly as you'd expect her to be, a solid performance but my favourite was Frances Barber as the debauched countess who delivers the first salacious and lurid description of the crimes of the Marquis. She was on top form and great fun.

It kept me engaged most of the time (although at one point I did plan by next delivery from Sainsbury's) but it was over-wordy and seemed a bit soul-less and lacking in warmth to draw me in to the heart of the play. Still, it was a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.