Venus in Fur

DTC_Venus in Fur_Helen WhiteHaving seduced audiences on Broadway, David Ives’ hilarious, sexy and provocative smash hit Venus in Fur makes its Sydney debut. Darlinghurst Theatre Company presents the highly anticipated Sydney premiere on 2 June at the Eternity Playhouse.

Thomas is a director struggling to cast the female lead in his new play based on the classic sadomasochistic novel Venus in Furs. As Thomas is about to leave the audition room, in bursts a fiery actress who displays an uncanny command of the material.

As the audition progresses, the line between play and reality blurs, and director and auditionee enter into an increasingly high-stakes game of submission and domination. Part comedy, part thriller, Venus in Fur is a gripping exploration of sexual control and desire. This wicked psychological study will have audiences talking long after the curtain falls.

“This fast paced, witty play is open to many different interpretations – no two audience members will leave the theatre with the same view of what has just taken place,” says Director Grace Barnes. “Is it a rancorous battle for power or two adults enjoying an intellectual sparring match?”

“Is it a lesson in misogyny or a harmless bit of fun? Is the mysterious Vanda really who she says she is, and why exactly is she here?”

Rife with sass, attitude and boundary pushing mind games, Anna Houston (War Horse, All My Sons) and Gareth Reeves (Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, The Dream) star in this sexually charged comedy.

Venus in Fur premiered at New York’s Off-Broadway theatre Classic Stage Company in 2011 before moving to Broadway and being nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play. It has since been performed all over America and the world, and has been turned into a movie directed by Roman Polanski which premiered at the Cannes International Film Festival.

“Seriously smart and very funny… A suspense-packed study of the erotics of power.” – New York Times

Director: Grace Barnes  Cast: Anna Houston, Gareth Reeves  Production Designer: Mel Page  Lighting Designer: Sian James-Holland  Composer & Sound Designer: Jessica James-Moody

Venus in Fur
Eternity Playhouse, 39 Burton Street, Darlinghurst
Season: 2 June – 5 July 2015
Bookings: (02) 8356 9987 or online at: www.darlinghursttheatre.com

For more information, visit: www.darlinghursttheatre.com for details.

Image: by Helen White