Preview-Venus in Fur-Sweet and Sour Productions
30-8-14
By: Meaghan McGurgan
Very rarely in Hong Kong do shows get a second run. Candice Moore and the team from Sweet and Sour Productions have been lucky to get such a chance with their sell-out hit from last fall, Venus in Fur. Starring Henry Coombs and Muriel Hofmann, the production got a 4 bubble rating in its HKELD review and Ms. Hofmann received a Heckler nomination for her role. If you missed the first run, this is a chance to catch one of the best shows of last year but Candice and cast assure me that even audience members who caught it last time will be pleasantly surprised to find new developments in the production.
Venus in Fur, written by David Ives, has generated somewhat of a buzz on (and off) Broadway since its 2010 premiere, earning itself widespread acclamation, a Tony nomination for Best Play and even a film adaptation by Roman Polanski. Coombs stars as Thomas, an up-and-coming director who’s decided it would be a good idea to adapt a 19th century sado-masochism play – “Venus in Fur” – and Muriel Hofmann as Vanda, a mysterious woman who barges in on the director without an appointment but with a bag of kinky S&M gear. The narrative glides from the 19th century to the modern-day world, evoking timeless questions on, as Muriel puts it, the power play of male and female dynamics, and gender roles generally.
Actor Muriel Hofmann is playing Vanda.
"We know more about the show... there's something familiar about the show but we've found new elements, both the actors and me as the director. We don't want to just copy what we did the first time," says Moore. Muriel adds, "I find myself examining certain parts of the play differently this time around. Certain texts are jumping out at me a different way because I'm in a different place in my life... Because we've had more time to look at things, we have the ability to play around a bit, which is nice."
"I'm not interested in just repeating - and I don't think audience members are interested in that either. Each theatre experience is unique, which is what makes us different than a film," Candice says. Both the actors and director were really excited about making the show better and stronger for a second time round. Short runs in Hong Kong are a major problem for most theatre companies. It's nice to see a local company getting another run so that a popular show can get a second life on stage. The team has even worked hard to make a video promo for the production. It's available on Vimeo, you can see it here.
Muriel Hofmann describes the show as "intellectually kinky" rather than overtly sexual but there is discussion in the play about S&M, so it's best not to bring the young children. Feminist undertones are also abundent in the text and Ives explores the role of women in relationships. Henry Coombs, an experienced actor in Hong Kong, loved being in the show last time. He was a last minute addition to the cast, stepping in for an actor who had a scheduling conflict. He learned the part for the fall run in just two weeks. This time around he's had a bit longer to play around with the text and character, which has been fun for him. He thinks audience members will enjoy the back and forth between the two characters and the way Ives changes back and forth between the two worlds. His favorite part of the show is the ending: "where Vanda takes her clothes off..." he laughs.
Actor, Henry Coombs is playing Thomas.
Venus in Fur is playing September 3rd and 5th through 6th at the Fringe Club. Showtimes are at 8pm with a 3pm matinee on Saturday afternoon. The show is recommended for ages 16 and above due to language and adult content. Ticket prices are $240 for adults with additional discounts for students, seniors, Fringe Club members and persons with disabilities. Tickets can be purchased through HKticketing.
Venus in Fur is playing at the Fringe Club the first week of September. For more information, click here.
Comments
Lala
Just tried to get tickets for the opening night and they said they're sold out. Do you know if there are tickets for the other nights?
01 September 2014