Those in need of a different kind of date night might want to look into Bristol Riverside Theatre’s ‘Venus in Fur.’
From playwright David Ives, the show first premiered Off-Broadway in 2010 at the Classic Stage Company in New York. The story follows frustrated playwright and director Thomas Novachek (played by Atticus Shaindlin) holding auditions for his adaptation of a 19th-century novel by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch.
The novel (and part of Leopold’s name) famously coined the term “masochism”, with its storyline covering dominance and submission. In the two-person production of ‘Venus in Fur’ as Novachek is about to give up after a day of unsuccessful auditions, Vanda Jordan (Lea DiMarchi) comes into the room as an unlikely candidate with an even more unique approach.
As the official show description describes, as the audition proceeds, Jordan unexpectedly reveals a deep understanding of the character, and the boundaries between reality and the play begin to blur. What follows is an enthralling psychological cat- and-mouse game as the power dynamic shifts between the characters, raising questions about gender roles, power, and the nature of seduction.
The production received critical acclaim, even earning lead actress Nina Arianda a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her role as Vanda Jordan, and a Tony nomination for Best Play. BRT’s Producing Director, Ken Kaissar, has taken the wheel of directing the show through this rendition.
“As a theatre director, this is a play that I immediately connected with,” said Kaissar in a statement. “The collaboration between actors and director is always a hilarious dance of cooperation and sensitivity. But throw in the topic of sex and power dynamics, and the situation becomes delicate.”
‘Venus in Fur’ will take place in the BRT’s pop-up theatre at the Regency Room (190 Mifflin Street, Bristol, PA). BRT is producing at The Regency Room while the main theatre is being renovated, and the space is meant to be intimate and immersive for audience members. Even more so when experiencing the “charged” setting of the show, the Theatre notes.
The show’s success has led it to premiere numerous productions worldwide, including showings in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, the United Kingdom, and Spain. As a release states, the show’s creative team here in Pennsylvania, however, had a plan to present ‘Venus in Fur’ through “an innovative design lens that heightens the intensity of the performances and the play’s psychological edge” while inside the show’s 150-seat black-box configuration. That team, on top of the directors and actors, includes costume design by Linda Bee, lighting design by Melissa Dembski-Sullivan and sound design by Ryk Lewis.
Tickets are available now for the production (which runs until Nov. 10), but there are also a few showings that have some extras built in. A night called ‘Wine Down’ will take place on Oct. 30 with complimentary wine and desserts. ‘Thirsty Thursday’ will be held on Nov. 7 with beer and snacks courtesy of Broad Street Brewing, Dog & Bull Brew & Music House, Naked Brewing Company, and Philly Style Soft Pretzel.
To purchase tickets ($15-$45) and find out more information on ‘Venus in Fur’ and Bistol Riverside Theatre, visit brtstage.org
