Rick Miller and Carly Street are powerful in Canadian Stage’s Venus in Fur
I would like to thank David Ives for writing such an exquisite piece of theatre, and especially for conceiving such a complex, sexy, empowered, and layered female lead. Venus in Fur was nominated for a stack of Tonys, including a win for the Broadway actor who took on the role of Vanya (though I can’t imagine that she did better than the fearless Carly Street).
I read Venus in Fur a few months ago and was completely enamored with it. When you have writing this good, a show can only truly fly when you have superior actors and Canadian Stage has found a perfect combination with Rick Miller and Carly Street. They positively electrified the stage.
Venus in Fur is based on the erotic sadomasochistic novella Venus in Furs by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch. His book was so hot they named a whole kink after him (I will definitely be checking that book out of the library).
The action centers on a playwright/director, Thomas, who is unsuccessfully trying to find the perfect female lead for his theatrical adaptation of Venus in Furs. He has spent the day auditioning insipid, talentless actresses and is packing up for the night when in walks Vanda. She is hours late, got caught in the rain, was groped on the subway and has a thick New York accent. It is clear that this vulgar, crass woman bordering on hysterics isn’t even remotely close to what he is looking for and he tries different tactics to get her out of the audition room quickly.
Somehow through tenacity and a large dash of mania Vanda is able to convince him to let her read for the part. As soon as she starts the audition, it is clear that she not only understands the material but seems to have a better grasp of it than the playwright himself. What ensues is 90 minutes of breathless, sexy gender power plays. The story weaves in and out of fantasy and reality, the lines blurred so seductively you don’t know where one begins and the other ends.
Jennifer Tarver’s direction was both masterful and inspired. Her staging is impeccable. Tarver made sure that her two actors stayed grounded and in control of their work. The pace was perfection, and the show read like a fine musical number.
Debra Hanson nailed the set and costume design. The action takes place in a small warehouse office. She made it interesting by having a large multi-colored glass ceiling. Dressing Vanda must have been a blast and she picked all the right pieces to make her sexy as can be—thigh-high boots and leather underthings. Michael Walton’s lighting was moody and appropriate.
Now I must go back to the acting. Carly Street was extraordinary. Did her German accent waver a bit? Sure. Did she fluff a few lines and then brilliantly save herself? Hell yes. None of those minor details mattered because what she brought to that stage was power, control, depth, humor, pace and the kind of precision that is so often missed. This kind of performance doesn’t happen often but nothing is more thrilling than when it does.
Rick Miller’s first few beats were a bit pushed but he settled in and was a perfect sparring partner for Street. I will say: Street is like a spotlight up there and it is hard to take your eyes off her but Miller is every bit as solid in a much less showy role.
Venus in Fur is one of the best shows I have seen in a long time and you really don’t want to miss it! So get over to Canadian Stage and be captivated with this sexy, smart, and wholly entertaining piece of theatre.
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