Venus in Fur Venus In Fur
Melville Theatre
Melville Theatre
16 Feb 2018 to 3 Mar 2018
View Session Times
Tickets
kets are $20, $15 concession book on 9330 4565 or at www.meltheco.org.au
Duration - 120 mins
Restrictions/Warnings
Not suitable for children
Coarse language
Adult themes



  
   
StageCenta App
Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store
Synopsis
A MYSTERIOUS, erotic and funny drama – featuring just two people – is Melville Theatre’s first offering for 2018.

Written by US playwright, screenwriter and novelist David Ives and directed by Trevor Dhu, Venus in Fur was first staged in 2010 and nominated for numerous Tony Awards before Roman Polanski shot a French film version in late 2012.

The play-within-a-play is an adaptation of the 1870 novel Venus in Furs by Austrian author Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, the book that inspired the term masochism.

The play goes behind the scenes at an audition in New York City where a playwright and mysterious young actress blur the lines between fantasy and reality, seduction and power and love and sex.

Armed with a bag of S&M gear and period costumes, the actress convinces the playwright to read his own script with breaks along the way to argue about the meaning of the story.

“As the reading progresses, the characters take on the roles for real and one of them, through the portal of love, becomes the dominant gender – but with a premise of complete control, sexism and sadomasochism,” Dhu said. 

“It’s frequently described as a play-within-a-play but one of the plays is actual reality.

“The main challenge is the gradual timing for sensuality and domination to take over and guiding the cast and my perspectives of the play’s themes and plot.

“I also need to assist the actors to build up such an out-of-real-life comedy-drama.”

Involved in the performing arts for as long as he can remember, Dhu has worked with Patch and Playhouse Theatres, Perth City Ballet and did extensive professional work with the Australian Dance Theatre in the eastern states.

He has directed, choreographed and acted in various productions at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre – most notably West Side Story and Jesus Christ Superstar – and also performed and directed at Harbour, Roleystone, Old Mill and Melville Theatres.

More recently, Dhu has directed Summer of the Seventeenth Doll at the Old Mill Theatre, winner of several Milly Awards, and the acclaimed Closer, as well as Barefoot in the Park and Spike Heels.

“My decision to direct Venus in Fur is that I prefer doing plays that have a quirk and are a creative venture that stretch local theatre boundaries – but, at the same time, give local talent the opportunity to try something different,” he said.

“More personally, I was dominated by my mother and emotionally dominated in a previous relationship so part of it is looking at that tricky search to find equality in a relationship.”

Venus in Fur plays at 8pm February 16, 17, 21, 23, 24, March 1, 2 and 3 with a 2pm matinee February 25. Tickets are $20, $15 concession – book on 9330 4565 or at www.meltheco.org.au.

Please note: the play has adult themes and some coarse language.

Melville Theatre is on the corner of Stock Road and Canning Highway, Palmyra.

Previous Shows
QuizQuiz
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 27 May 2023
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18-$23
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Neil Simon's Plaza SuiteNeil Simon's Plaza Suite
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 4 Mar 2023
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18-$23
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Things I Know To Be TrueThings I Know To Be True
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 12 Nov 2022
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18-$23
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Henrik Ibsen's GhostsHenrik Ibsen's Ghosts
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 20 Aug 2022
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18-$23
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Firebringer  The MusicalFirebringer The Musical
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 21 May 2022
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $25-$30
Duration - 120 mins
 Musical
The Appleton Ladies Potato RaceThe Appleton Ladies Potato Race
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 26 Feb 2022
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18-$23
Duration - 90 mins
 Play
William Shakespeares Long Lost First Play (abridged) William Shakespeares Long Lost First Play (abridged)
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 4 Dec 2021
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18 - $23
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Clue On StageClue
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 25 Sep 2021
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $20-$25
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
The DresserThe Dresser
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 17 Jul 2021
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18 - $23
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
IncognitoIncognito
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 22 May 2021
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18-$23
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Summer ShortsSummer Shorts
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 20 Feb 2021
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18-$23
Duration - 120
 Play
Old LoveOld Love
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 5 Dec 2020
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18-$23
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Next To NormalNext To Normal
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 5 Sep 2020
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $25-$30
Duration - 120 mins
 Musical
Summer ShortsSummer Shorts
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 22 Feb 2020
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Six Dance Lessons in Six WeeksSix Dance Lessons in Six Weeks
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 7 Dec 2019
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
The NightwatchmanThe Nightwatchman
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 28 Sep 2019
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Veronica's RoomVeronica's Room
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 20 Jul 2019
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 90 mins
 Play
Jane Austen's Sense and SensibilityJane Austen's Sense and Sensibility
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 18 May 2019
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Tim Winton's ShrineTim Winton's Shrine
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 2 Mar 2019
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 90 mins
 Play
Wonderful WorldWonderful World
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 8 Dec 2018
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Cash On DeliveryCash On Delivery
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 29 Sep 2018
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
UrinetownUrinetown
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 21 Jul 2018
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $20-$25
Duration - 120 mins
 Musical
Mr Bailey's MinderMr Bailey's Minder
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 12 May 2018
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Venus in FurVenus In Fur
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 3 Mar 2018
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
JumpyJumpy
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 2 Dec 2017
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Stop KissStop Kiss
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 23 Sep 2017
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 90 mins
 Play
The Secret GardenThe Secret Garden
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 15 Jul 2017
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $20-$25
Duration - 100 mins
 Musical
The Mozart FactionThe Mozart Faction
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 22 Apr 2017
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 90 mins
 Play
One Man, Two GuvnorsOne Man, Two Guvnors
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 10 Dec 2016
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Barefoot in the ParkBarefoot in the Park
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 17 Sep 2016
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Under The Blue SkyUnder The Blue Sky
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 23 Jul 2016
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Death and the MaidenDeath and the Maiden
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 21 May 2016
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Inside Job: mystery thriller keeps em guessing Inside Job: mystery thriller keeps em guessing
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 5 Mar 2016
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Looking Back: magical medley of musicalsLooking Back: magical medley of musicals
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 5 Dec 2015
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Musical
Love, Loss and What I WoreLove, Loss and What I Wore
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 19 Sep 2015
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
 Equus Equus
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 23 May 2015
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Summer Shorts: three one-act playsSummer Shorts: three one-act plays
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 7 Mar 2015
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 100 mins
 Play
Wife After DeathWife After Death
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 6 Dec 2014
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120
 Play
Spike HeelsSpike Heels
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 27 Sep 2014
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15 - $20
 Musical
Nol's Coward's Relative ValuesNoel Coward's Relative Values
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 26 Jul 2014
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120
 Play
Twelve Angry MenTwelve Angry Men
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 17 May 2014
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120
 Play
David Williamson's Don Parties OnDavid Williamson's Don Parties On
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 8 Mar 2014
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 150 mins
 Play
Audience with Murder: puzzle-like play all in the tellingAudience with Murder: puzzle-like play all in the telling
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 30 Nov 2013
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $14-$18
Duration - 150 mins
 Play
Making Twelfth Night a delight: finding the fun in ShakespeareMaking Twelfth Night a delight: finding the fun in Shakespeare
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 6 Jul 2013
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $14-$18
Duration - 150 minutes
 Play
Rabbit HoleRabbit Hole
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 27 Apr 2013
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $14-$18
Duration - 150 minutes
 Play
Copyright © 2014,2020 Inbizecom Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.