Venus in Furs - Hive Collaborative

 

This is a brilliant work of art. The play Venus in Furs by David Ives is a unique work, and somewhat meta about theatre. Kyle Weller plays Thomas, a writer who adapted the book "Venus in Furs" to the stage. He is at the end of auditions for the female role of Vanda in the show. He is at his wits end, and is about to leave when Vanda, played by Hope Nordquist, comes rushing in swearing about the weather, and being stuck on the subway, and trying to get to the audition in time. Thomas reluctantly decides to audition her, and we are off on an amazing 90-min, no intermission ride. There is a lot of dialogue about gender politics, sexuality, power struggles, and a lot gets realized during these 90 mins. You will leave the theatre thinking about it, and talking about it for sure.

The direction by Michelle O'Neill is spot on. It looks and feels like reality, not staged at all. Both performers are at the top of their game in this work. The level of energy to pull this off, especially on possible days off from other shows, is incredible. Every word and action felt honest and true. And though this may seem like an intense work, which it is, there is plenty of laughs through it as well. Every once in a while during the audition, Vanda will stop playing the role of Vanda and play the character Vanda and ask a question about the blocking, or the writing, or call out some sexist moment that Thomas had written. It is truly a brilliant, amazing, and thought provoking night at the theatre. Take some time away from MN Fringe Festival, and take a chance. 

Now...some side notes. While I have not read the original book "Venus in Furs", the premise from what I have seen is that the writer is talking to Venus about love and to explain it further, he tells the story of Vanda and Severin to dialogue about love, and power, and domination, and submission. The author of the original book is Leopold von Sacher-Masoch. And yes, this is supposedly where the word Masochism comes from, his name, and inspired by this book. The book has inspired a number of films, as well as a famous song (with the same title) by the Velvet Underground - I believe it is part of the pre-show and post-show music...though some Alban Berg would have been appropriate as well. Also, one of my favorite performers/actors Marianne Faithfull had Leopold as her maternal great-great-uncle. Such fascinating links, and it feels like so much comes from one little book.