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Venus in Fur

written by David Ives
directed by Cristina Alicea


In this seductive comedy, love, lust, and literature become weapons in the ultimate battle of the sexes. Vanda is an unusual actress who arrives late to audition for the lead in playwright Thomas' adaptation of the 1870 German erotica novel, "Venus in Furs." During the reading, realities begin to shift and Thomas finds himself heading into dangerous territory. Does art imitate life? Or is it the other way around? Written by comic mastermind David Ives, this sizzling new play will keep you guessing until the very end.

Vermont Stage Board member, and expert in Austrian and German Literature, Dr. Betsy Allen-Pennebaker has prepared some information on the original novel that this play was inspired by and from which the term "masochism" was coined.  Click here to read about the genesis of "Venus in Furs" by Leopold Von Sacher-Masoch and the impact it has had on sex, literature,and psychology. 

Featuring
Deanna McGovern
Jordan Gullikson

Production Team
Scenic Design: Blair Mielnik
Costume Design: Catherine Vigne
Lighting Design: John B. Forbes
Sound Design: Martha Goode
Production Stage Management: Jamien L. Forrest
Watch this video preview of VENUS IN FUR to get a taste of the show

Reviews

" At Friday's performance, the Vermont Stage production, directed by Artistic Director Cristina Alicea, was taut, tense, unexpected and deliciously funny." 
                                                                              -
Vermont Today
                                                                                       read review
"Unlike many plays that take awhile to develop, the Vermont Stage production presented Wednesday became fascinating almost immediately, thanks primarily to the work of the two performers and their director... [McGovern and Gullikson] are both fearless and feral. They excel at the little things, too, from the expressions on their faces when the other character is pouring his or her heart out to the moments of extraordinary silence they create."
                                                           - The Burlington Free Press
                                                                                       read review
"All the words that might tempt you to see Venus in Fur - comedy, sex, role reversal, erotic literature, sado-masochism - do apply, but the biggest draw turns out to be the acting.... Thomas and Vanda dissect the nature of seduction, but in the end it is the viewer who is seduced."
                                                                                    - Seven Days
                                                                                  read the review

This show was sponsored by

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