The first axiom of writing is “write what you know.” The first axiom of wish fulfilment is “be careful what you wish for.” The intersection of these two self-evident truths might just be Heartland Theatre’s latest production, the terrifically staged work by playwright David Ives, “Venus in Fur,” playing through Sept. 13.
I’ll admit the connection between the word and a wish might not seem readily apparent. That is certainly the case for the play’s protagonist playwright, Thomas Novachek (Kyle Redmon), who is sure he’s written about something he knows — a play based on a somewhat obscure 19th century Austrian novella titled “Venus in Furs” — but he has no clue of the rapture and wrath that (wishfully) await him as he sets about to cast his play. You see, Thomas is not only the playwright, but he’s also the play’s director, a role he will imbue with command and control, directing his work “within an inch of its life.”
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Well, that’s nice but, truth be told, he hasn’t even found his Vanda yet, the leading lady of his play. He’s seen “35 incompetent actresses,” and concluded that, frankly, “most women cannot play feminine.” He’s about to call it a night in the dingy little studio he’s rented for the auditions when a crash of thunder and a flash of lightning herald the arrival of Vanda Jordan (Mia Katz). Actually, her real name, she says, is “Wanda,” but she’s changed it to Vanda because, as she proclaims unapologetically, “I’m made for this part!” Maybe.
Vanda is what many would call a hot mess. She’s hours late. She’s prattling on about the pouring rain, a stuck train and a broken heel. Thomas tells her, with charming social ineptitude, “It’s been a very long day. You don’t want to audition for me now.” Ah contraire, Herr Director, I think you’ll want to see this one. Vanda is, as the great statesman Winston Churchill once put it, “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.”
Mia Katz as “Vanda” and Kyle Redmon as “Thomas” play a wickedly funny and seductive game of cat and mouse in “Venus in Fur” by David Ives, playing through Sept. 13 at Heartland Theatre in Normal.
Vanda says she only has a vague idea of the play, yet somehow, she’s procured a confidential copy of the entire script. She professes ignorance of the source material, yet it soon becomes apparent she knows the novella quite well. The actress claims she’s usually demure and shy, and yet, almost instantaneously, she strips down to a black leather outfit with fishnet stockings and declares herself ready for some 1870 sadomasochism.
Cue the record scratch — sadomasochism?! What? It’s like this: The novella “Venus in Furs” is the story of a man, Severin, who is completely infatuated with a woman, Wanda. So much so that he asks to be her slave, to be dominated by her. The author, Leopold von Sacher-Mascho, was writing about something probably as old as time — sexual pleasure derived from pain — but the familiarity of the book by noted 19th century German psychiatrist Richard von Kraft-Ebbing meant that Sacher-Mascho’s name would forever be linked to Kraft-Ebbing’s newly invented term: masochism.
This is where word and wish intersect for Thomas. He’s writing about something he knows all right; it’s just not the novella. It’s masochism. And in the “careful what you wish for” category, Vanda might seem to be potentially the perfect partner — but, whoa Nelly, you have no idea what you are getting into, Thomas.
“Venus in Fur,” the play, is what we call in the theater parlance a “two-hander,” which means the whole enchilada rests on two actors — so they better be good. I can tell you Redmon and Katz are good — very good. There were moments the audience was simply mesmerized by these two. You could hear that proverbial pin drop. Redmon takes us on his transformative journey as Thomas tries to understand who Vanda really is. As Vanda, Katz is nothing short of a force of nature. She zigs and zags seamlessly from brash actress to 19th century noblewoman, both who seemingly have otherworldly knowledge of the male/female power dynamic.
Kathleen Kirk’s direction is superb. You can tell that she and assistant director Blake Stubbs have deconstructed this text within an inch of its life. The staging is at once both solid and soaring. The sparse scenic design, per Ives’ script, by Dathan A. Powell makes for some of the best Heartland sight lines in recent memory. The lighting design by Rob Fulton and sound design by Trisha Bagby create a magnificent thunderstorm and more. E Fischer’s costume design transports the audience effortlessly from the 21st to 19th century.
“Venus in Fur” is a top-notch production. It’s funny and thought-provoking. It features outstanding work on both the creative and production sides. Yes, the subject matter is a little risqué. For some that might be more reason to go. For others, perhaps not. But don’t sweat it. You quickly move past the furs and fishnets and simply revel in an entertaining play splendidly done.
“Venus in Fur” has adult content and sexual situations. It should be considered for mature audiences only.
Where: Heartland Theatre, 1110 Douglas St., Normal
When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30, Sept. 5, 6, 7, 12 and 13; 2 p.m. Sept. 7 and 13
Cost: $10-$21 at heartlandtheatre.org
Running time: 1 hour and 50 minutes, no intermission
The group meets every Tuesday at the ARC in Normal
John D. Poling is a freelance writer who reviews plays for The Pantagraph.
