Madame de Sade

Madame de Sade is a 1965 historical fiction play by Yukio Mishima (1925-1970)[1].

The original text

Based on the life of Renée de Sade, wife of the notorious Marquis de Sade. The first performance was on November 14, 1965 at Kinokuniya Hall, Tokyo. It was directed by Takeo Matsuura and produced by the New Literature Theatre.

Translations and adaptations

Translated from the Japanese into English by Donald Keene [2] and first published by Grove Press in 1967 and again in 1971 by Tuttle Publishing, who also published a Japanese version.

Published in French in November 1976 by Editions Gallimard

Performance history in South Africa

1976: First produced in South Africa by The Company in The Nunnery in Johannesburg, directed by Janice Honeyman, with Jacqui Singer (Madame de Sade), Vivienne Drummond (Madame de Montreuil), Vanessa Cooke (Anne), Michelle Maxwell (Baronesse de Simiane), Sarah McNair (Contesse de Saint-Pond) and Sheila Ferguson (Charlotte). Costumes by Katie McCorkindale.

1987: Performed at the Little Theatre, Cape Town, directed by Geoffrey Hyland, opening 29 August starring Petrea Curran, Louise Hodes, Debra Watson, Diane Kramer, Lesley Rochat and Anastasia Maw. Costumes designed by John Caviggia, lighting design Kevin Yates.

1997: Staged in the Baxter Theatre and at the Grahamstown Festival, directed by Geoffrey Hyland and featuring Antoinette Kellermann, Claire Berlein, Michelle Scott, Mary Dreyer, Terry Norton, Susan Dall. Set design, Brian Collins; Lighting design, Paul Abrams; Costumes Ann Sharfman and Yvonne Bleach.