In Madame De Sade, the life of the notorious Marquis De Sade is examined through the eyes of six women, three real – his wife, her sister and her mother – and three imagined.

Yukio Mishima’s drama stars Dame Judi Dench as the mother of Madame De Sade. Dench is one of Britain’s most lauded actors, with seven Laurence Olivier Awards to her name. Her most recent stage credits include Hay Fever and Breath Of Life in the West End and Merry Wives The Musical in Stratford. Dench’s numerous big screen appearances include the recent films Mrs Henderson Presents, Casino Royale and Notes On A Scandal.

Dench is joined by a familiar co-star, Rosamund Pike; the pair both appeared in Bond film Die Another Day. Pike’s stage credits include Summer And Smoke, Gaslight and Hitchcock Blonde.

Madame De Sade is directed by Michael Grandage, Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse, which is enjoying a year-long residency at the Wyndham’s theatre. This is the third production in the season, after Ivanov and Twelfth Night.

For more about Madame De Sade at the Wyndham’s theatre, read the First Night Feature or Big Interview with Frances Barber.