Venus in Fur

Venus in Fur is a gutsy, psychological thriller with just a touch of kink! Set on a bare stage, relieved by a table and chairs, a seemingly innocent late audition rapidly escalates and we are left with some questions to puzzle over - Who is Vanda? How does she know the play off-by-heart? Who is really the director and the auditionee?

Written by David Ives, Venus in Fur is unquestionably a powerful play, however, it is only as good as its performers. Will King and Bridget Gao-Hollitt take the text and make it their own. Boundaries are merged between director and auditionee and the roles they are workshopping/auditioning.

The themes of dominance and submission ebb and flow and seem to control the actors with ‘the fur’ becoming a sexual metaphor. Initially reality breaks the illusion, but even that breaks down and the text of the ‘play’ dominates the actors and the roles they play.

King and Gao-Hollitt are masters of the text and there is a real sense of chemistry between the two. There are many moments when pausation signals a switch in dominance and the sexual tension created is palpable.

Their use of pace and timing to drive the play is masterful as they play on the stage and around the audience, immersing us in the action. The direction is deceptively simple but ultimately effective.

Mention should be made of the lighting to highlight the transition from play to reality and the use of music and soundscapes to enhance the atmosphere. The storm raging outside drives the pace near the end of the production to a frightening unexpected climax leaving the audience wanting more!

Venus in Fur will have you questioning your values and possibly haunt your dreams! A magnificent piece of theatre!

Barry Hill

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