Bravo and kudos to brilliantly great acting, 90 minutes of marvel. Vanda Jordan comes to audition for the part of Vanda in Thomas Novachek's play. Remarkably and not coincidentally, as I saw it, she really did ingratiate herself into the audition and she shares the same name as the female protagonist in the play. She thinks Thomas wrote the play but he's merely "adapting" it. This repeated several times over as if trying to make us believe that's really the case, or convince us Thomas actually adapted Sacher-Masoch's book of the same name; as Thomas explains to ditzy Vanda, however, don't be fooled by her blonde tresses, she's not what she appears to be. But a cunning vixen, who really plays him and does set his heart afire. "The inexplicable becomes the inextricable" in many ways. As she keeps getting "ambivalent" and "ambiguous" mixed up.
Thunder, lightning and Vanda arrives wet at Thomas's attic studio. The train was late and everyone's gone but through her clever tactics and manoeuvrability, she manages to convince Thomas into giving her an audition. As they read the play, she questions why Thomas doesn't play the part for himself. As they read, their innermost thoughts and desires are revealed, as are their tremendous American accents, Vanda's New Yawk accent becomes posh English when reading the script, allowing Thomas to be more enamoured with her. She also gets him to talk 'posh' and then we get a little German accent; ooh it was Earnest (Victoria) all over again. As Natalie also finally slips in a German accent too.
Thomas says he's taken in by her and falls like the thunder and lightning. Plenty of this followed, painting the picture that each time there was that roar, it was Thomas falling deeper and more deeply for Vanda. The astute vixen has the script already and says her agent gave it to her. But she's also secretly read the book as she produces it when remarking on the cover, if he used that as a poster it'd be reminiscent of "porn" and he'll sell lots of tickets.
That's what this revolved around: the abuses suffered and endured by women at the hands of men for centuries. Seen by Vanda's heartfelt machinations that she longs for a woman to be an individual and to be seen as such. Not admired for her beauty alone and to be 'used' for the needs of men, but to be given an equal footing. Therein lies the modern aspect to this. All the scandals appearing in the news now, the abuses (suffered by men and women alike). It was akin to Thomas as he talks of the abuse suffered at the hands of his aunt, as his pants were pulled down and she beat him, over and over. It was so poignant a moment that it felt as if it were true. That he really suffered this and wasn't just spoken by the character he was playing within the play. Hence also their talk of fur stemming from this and how the fur plays a pivotal role in that abuse and yet it's so appealing.
After much 'seduction' and many home truths being revealed, more thunder and more times that Thomas fell for this Venus in Fur, this Aphrodite. "All hail Aphrodite" Vanda finally gets Thomas where she wants him: succumbing and finally playing her role, as she ties him up and shows him how women are treated. As said, roles reversed, she's now the dominant one, in the position of power. And as the heavens rained red, Aphrodite is finally hailed; also as exacting her revenge. The goddess wins! The "idiot woman...idiot actress" reveals in the depths of her victory!
It felt to me as if Thomas was actually imagining this, writing, I mean, adapting his own play and his own version of events. Especially with that "twisty" ending! It was such a pleasure to watch Natalie Dormer and David Oakes live on stage; that it's no wonder many have flocked to see this many times over. It does deserve more than one viewing. That atmosphere, there's so much to take in. The costumes without being too lavish suit the entire play and it's good there wasn't an interval which would've distracted from the main scenes, which were actually all the scenes in my opinion. Every moment, every scene had an enormous impact on everything being said and acted.
Thomas mentions he was beaten by his aunt and it was watched by the servants and even the cat. It was hilarious in a way, not the beating aspect, but that cats were mentioned in this and I gave David a silly cat painting I did! Hey another uncanny moment of mine!
I would say this should be filmed and shown in theatres/cinemas in all its glory. Loved it and as said, one visit wasn't enough, neither were two! Third time's the charm. Amazingly directed by Patrick Marber and a gorgeous set by Rob Howell. Breathtaking, exuding sexiness and so very dark!
Venus In Fur Theatre Royal Haymarket until 9th December!! Hurry!!
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