On Theater: ‘Venus’ radiates plenty of heat
In producing a play for the stage, one of the most crucial elements is the casting process. Choosing the right actor or actress for a particular character often means the difference between the success or failure of a production.
In David Ives’ “Venus in Fur,” the latest offering at South Coast Repertory under the crackling direction of Casey Stangl, that process takes on incredible significance. A young first-time director has translated an erotic novel from 1870 and is bemoaning, by phone, the lack of skilled and sexy actresses available in New York’s talent pool.
He’s about to wrap up an unsuccessful day of auditioning when, accompanied by a crash of thunder, a young woman bursts in, literally with a bang. She’s all New York attitude, with much of her dialogue in the key of F, as she rails against the elements that have delayed her arrival.
Naturally, she convinces the director to allow her to read for the part, and from that point on, it’s obvious that she’s more than well prepared. She owns the role and sets about possessing the director as well in a steamy two-hander packed with sex and sizzle.
Inhabiting these two fascinating characters are the solid Graham Hamilton as the director and the amazing Jaimi Paige as the supremely prepared young actress. She hits the stage at full gallop, spewing street slang and creative profanities before switching into serious actress mode, which she handles with equal dexterity.
Regarding the script, which she classifies as “S&M porn,” Paige comments, “You don’t have to tell me about sadomasochism. I’m in the theater.” That attitude prevails throughout the show as their reading scenes are interrupted on occasion and their real selves are inserted.
Paige is absolutely brilliant as Vanda (the same name as that of the character she’s reading for, although it’s really Wanda). She’s an unleashed force of nature who, it appears, knows more about the director (and his fiancee) than one would imagine. And she expertly thrusts her character into the proceedings, both in her streetwise and 1870-something moments.
Hamilton strives to maintain his character’s authority, and his control of the audition, but his young director is fighting a losing battle that ultimately turns into a gender war of dominance and submission. His strength is in intellectual superiority, which he finds to be waning as the play steamrolls to an astonishing climax.
Playing particularly important roles in the success of “Venus in Fur” are the lighting design of Elizabeth Harper and Jeff Polunas’ robust sound effects. Thunder and lightning punctuate the action against the backdrop of Keith Mitchell’s setting and David Kay Mickelsen’s costumes (Paige’s in particular).
Director Stangl’s provocative production, rarely allowing playgoers to catch their breath, unfolds in just under two hours with no intermission. It’s an attention-grabbing project overflowing with sensuality at South Coast Repertory.
TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot.
If You Go
What: “Venus in Fur”
Where: South Coast Repertory, Julianne Argyros Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
When: 7:45 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 2 and 7:45 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
Cost: Starts at $22
Information: (714) 708-5555 or https://www.scr.org
