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Last broadcast on Wed, 18 Mar 2009, 21:15 on BBC Radio 3.
Synopsis
Matthew Sweet sees Dame Judi Dench in an all-star production of the play Madame de Sade, about the mother-in-law and the wife of the infamous Marquis de Sade, written by Japanese writer Yukio Mishima.
Mishima is best known for having committed suicide after he led a failed right-wing coup d'etat in Japan in 1970. But this drama, written five years earlier, is possibly just as controversial.
It explores the lives of six women involved with the notorious de Sade - at the point in his life when he was imprisoned in the Bastille for his licentious actions. The play has rarely been performed in Britain and has been newly translated from Japanese for this production.
Matthew and guests assess the results.
Roger Scruton on Beauty
Matthew Sweet talks to the philosopher Roger Scruton about beauty - and why he thinks that without a common interest in the beautiful, our world will cease to be a home for our species.
Beauty is published by Oxford University Press on March 26.
Protected Views
“Protected views” are corridors which provide scenic sight lines to some of the most important and beautiful landmarks and landscapes in Britain. But how should we decide whether particular views are significant enough to protect through tree-pruning and planning restrictions?
Matthew Sweet discusses the politics and practicalities of protected views with journalist Amanda Baillieu and architect Hal Modderidge.
George Scharf
George Scharf chronicled the changing street scenes of nineteenth century London. He has been compared to Dickens and Hogarth but died in poverty. Now, the Sir John Soanes Museum in London is hosting the first exhibition dedicated to his work. Sarah Gilmartin reviews it.
George Scharf: From the Regency Street to the Modern Metropolis is at the Sir John Soane Museum from the 20 March to the 6 June.
Madame de Sade
Suzannah Clapp reviews the first night of Yukio Mishima’s play Madame de Sade at the Wyndham's Theatre. Starring Judi Dench as the Marquis de Sade’s mother in law, the play explores the lives of six women involved with the notorious de Sade - at the point in his life when he was imprisoned in the Bastille for his licentious actions.
Madame de Sade opens tonight and runs at the Wyndham's Theatre until May 23.
Broadcast
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Wed 18 Mar 200921:15
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