Venus In Fur - Kinky, Slinky & Minky

Cast of Venus in Fur (photo by David Cooper)

The Arts Club is producing Venus In Fur by David Ives. A hit Off-Broadway that transferred to the Great White Way where it garned significant acclaim (including a Tony award for the female lead), this play offers its audience an intriguing 21st century take on a novel from 1870.

We meet Thomas (Vincent Gale) first - a playwright and first-time director who is attempting to adapt this same novel by Austrian author Leopold von Sacher-Masoch for the stage. Thomas has seen a number of young women that day who are all vying to play Vanda and none are satisfactory. As he starts to walk out the door, yet another vapid actress (Lindsey Angell) arrives claiming to be late for her scheduled audition (and oddly enough actually named Vanda in real life.) She convinces Thomas to read the play with her and shocks him with her understanding of the very character he created.

The play quickly devolves into a game between Thomas and Vanda. Drawing on the sexual sado-masochistic themes of the original novel which are integrated into the adapted script, we see Vanda begin to dominate Thomas in both the play reading and in their real-life relationship. Lines between the characters and the people become increasingly blurred.

Directed by David Mackay, the Arts Club production is a fine-looking show. With set and lighting design by John Webber, we are drawn into the world of a rehearsal hall where anything can happen between two people. Early scenes of the play are engaging. Yet as the show continues, its conceit of a play-within-a-play starts to wear thin - in truth, the original source material begins to feel somewhat reminiscent of 50 Shades of Grey. The script reminds me of Oleanna by David Mamet; it's the performances which key to the success of each production and to understanding the playwright's intent.

Both actors featured in Venus In Fur are clearly competent performers. However, from the beginning their connection to each other is uncertain. I wanted to see the power switch back and forth as first one, then the other dominates the exchange. Seated in the audience, I wasn't really drawn into the show until the intimacy of touch with Thomas removing Vanda's shoes and replacing them with a pair of sensational thigh-high boots (which was admittedly breath-taking). But for this show to work best, their duet needs to start much sooner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Allyson McGrane
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