Venus In Fur

Venus In Fur
By David Ives. Black Swan (WA). Directed by Lawrie Cullen-Tait. Studio Downstairs, State Theatre Centre of WA. 15 Jan - 8 Feb, 2015

Black Swan's first production of the year is the theatrically conscious, cleverly written, Venus in Fur, written by David Ives. Part of the Black Swan Lab - Black Swan's workshop and more experimental arm, it is performed at the Studio Underground at the State Theatre Centre.

Quirkily staged on an intimate thrust arrangement within the end stage configuration of the studio, it provides for a very close audience experience, if you are sitting centrally. I am concerned that those seated on the periphery may feel isolated — request a central seat. Patrick Howe's set design is tight, almost claustrophobic, but beautifully realised.

Venus in Fur is a play within a play, where the bounds of reality and pretend are often blurred, as are the relationships between actor, director and writer. It relies on excellent performances and we get them in the hands of Adam Booth as Thomas Novachek and Felicity McKay as Vanda Jordan. Both deliver wonderfully complex characters and Felicity McKay makes the most of this gift-role for an actress with a wonderfully executed journey.

Brett Smith's sound design and composition is subtle but emotive, while Joe Lui's lighting adds much to the mood; beautifully and appropriately obviously at times. There are many Black Swan debuts among the production team, as there should be in a Lab production, and it is exciting to see the work of these new, young creatives.

Venus in Fur is well worth seeing, especially for those involved on the theatrical community. I recommend clearing a space in your Fringeworld calendar for this one.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Gary Marsh Photography.

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