 |
 |
Venus in Fur Reviews
|
|
|
|
|
| What to Expect: |
| Acting: |
 |
| Music: |
 |
| Production: |
 |
| Story: |
|
|
|
|
| Recommended For: |
|
Adults: |
 |
|
Romantic Date: |
 |
|
Seniors: |
 |
|
Business Assoc.: |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
Run don't walk before its over and see this gem! Review by: , Jun 15, 2012 |
| There are only 3 days left to see this amazing play. A wonderful story of a play within a play. The acting is superb. It is easy to see why Nina Arianda won the Tony for best actress. Hopefully, it is a sign of a brilliant career. Her switching between the Vanda of the 1800's and the Vanda who is auditioning for a role is magnificent. Hugh Dancy is splendid. Although comical at times, the play is thought provoking about relationships between ... read more people. |
|
|
My recommendation:
must see!
|
| Acting: |
|
| Music: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Alone
|
Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
Wear whatever you like - but go. As soon as you can. Review by: Tom Bestor, Jun 10, 2012 |
Where to begin? This is the question every writer faces. Every other professional in the world of entertainment gets to start their task with something - a script, character sketch, director's instructions, whatever. But it is we poor writers who must summon a something out of sheer nothingness.
Fortunately, this writing task is a little easier. I get to start with another writer's work - specifically, David Ives' ... read more staggeringly-brilliant play, based in part on the 19th century novel, "Venus in Fur" by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, one of the books that introduced the world to S&M. (The "M," of course, being inspired by Sacher-Masoch's name.)
But that sense of terror writers face is present at every moment of this 90-minute two-hander. It begins with playwright and director Thomas (Hugh Dancy), who has written an adaptation of "Venus in Fur" and is conducting auditions for an actress to play the part of Vanda, the lead character. Finding no one suitable, he's ready to give up until a young actress - conveniently also named Vanda - steps through the door and proceeds to turn his world upside down. Which makes sense, because that's what sadists do. Sadism isn't really about inflicting pain, it's about engendering terror. Creating chaos so the masochist can experience the terror of not knowing what's coming next.
Thomas is already living in terror, and Wanda only ups the ante. Here he is, the writer, the director, the man in control. The person who has created a whole world and thinks he's in charge of it. At least until Vanda arrives and throws all his expectations out the window.
Both Hugh Dancy and Nina Arianda are wonderful, and it will be a travesty of justice if Nina does not walk away with the Tony.
There is so much richness, so many layers of meaning and plot and character, that I can't really do this justice without giving too much away. "Venus in Fur" is like one of those Russian nesting dolls - you keep unpacking it and it keeps revealing something new. This isn't a show about sadism or masochism, necessarily. It's also about art and theater and the masks we wear - and ask others to wear.
Wear whatever you like - but go. As soon as you can.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 3 |
Great piece... Review by: Art0330, Jun 9, 2012 |
| Not to be missed. It's not a big time extravagant production, instead featuring two amazing actors in tune with each other.Sharp writing, thought provoking sentiments, and effective staging. I did think the end was a bit too abrupt and could have been fleshed out a bit, but that was just a niggling sentiment. Go see it. The lead actress should win this year's Tony. |
|
|
My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
|
| Acting: |
|
| Music: |
|
| Production: |
|
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
|
|
|
|
|
| 4 |
Review by: CM, May 29, 2012 |
| This is an actors play. The performances are all that matter and they are great. The play is ok. |
|
|
My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Alone
|
Recommended for:
Romantic Date
|
|
|
|
|
| 5 |
Venus is here and her name is Nina!!!!!!! Review by: Diract 66, Mar 13, 2012 |
| Nina Arianda is the brightest and best actress to come to NY theatre in many a year. If 'Venus' is eligible for Tony awards this year she should win best actress. After all she was cheated out of the award last year. Nina switches between two characters on stage faster than Joanne Woodward and Sally Field together. And she does a better job... eight nights a week on stage in front of a live audience. When she comes onstage, lights go on,... read more, the sun comes up,and life comes from the dead! The play takes so many turns from laugh out loud humor to tie me up shock that you can't keep up and when the play is over you are asking, " What the hell just happened?" Hugh Dancy is also perfectly cast in his role as writer,director, and sometimes actor. He thinks he is in command but ultimately is not. This show premise is an actress arrives late for an audition and the director/writer finally agrees to let her audition..and then the 'fun' begins. Sensual and sexy is Nina, yet there is no sex in the show. Even if at the end you do not like the show , you will appreciate and love the acting....especially Nina..this years Tony winner! |
|
|
My recommendation:
must see!
|
| Acting: |
|
| Music: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
Recommended for:
Adults
|
|
|
|
|
| 6 |
Disappointing Review by: RSK, Nov 10, 2011 |
| It's really hard to have a good show without an ending and while this show does end it does not have an ending. It just ends. If it had an intermission I could tell to see the first act and leave, but it does not so if you go you will have to sit through it all. It's very well acted and the first half is very good. But The second half does not generate any interest. And then it ends. I would not bother with this one. Also, if you do go, get good ... read more seats (should not be hard) the voices do not carry and if you don't have good seats you not hear everything. |
|
|
My recommendation:
Don't go
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
 |
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
Recommended for:
Adults
|
|
|
|
|
| 7 |
One of These Days These Boots Are Gonna... Review by: Boo Radley, Oct 29, 2011 |
Venus in Fur sizzles on every level. Make sure you see this show if you care anything about great writing, superb acting, theatrical surprises and enough juice to keep you thinking and talking for weeks. The boot scene will forever be remembered and is worth the price of a ticket alone! Fingers are crossed for Tonys for both Nina and Hugh. Bravo!
|
|
|
My recommendation:
must see!
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
Recommended for:
Adults
|
|
|
|
|
| 8 |
Love Nina, not the play Review by: Legs, Oct 26, 2011 |
| The star of this production is beginning a spectacular career in theater; she is a gem. However, unless you can be engaged for two very long hours by a mind-numbing story of S&M, skip this one. |
|
|
My recommendation:
Don't go
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Alone
|
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
Save your $$$$$ Review by: Sandy, Oct 24, 2011 |
| Entirely too much time spent trying to figure out the author's main point....overacted, long, tedious. "What do I take away from this play?" became the recurring sentiment all too early in the confused story. |
|
|
My recommendation:
Don't go
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Business Associate
|
|
|
|
|
| 10 |
A LONG NIGHT -- Review by: Mars969, Oct 24, 2011 |
| How did this show get to Broadway?!! Although the acting was good at best, the script was tedious, long, drawn out which caused the delivery to be "talky." The action was forced at times thus making the show much longer than it needed to be. It was difficult to discern whether this show was intended to be a comedy or a serious drama, it had elements of both which caused the audience to get confused as the direction it wanted to take. By the end ... read more of the show I wanted to take the fur and choke Venus. Save your money and go see a show that will intrigue you and fulfill you, no leave you wondering, "What was that about?!" |
|
|
My recommendation:
Don't go
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Large Group
|
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
Disappointing Afternoon Review by: Mr. C, Oct 24, 2011 |
| Acting was good but the story line especially the ending was very disappointing. My wife and I felt that we wasted 90 minutes. I truly don't understand why this show that was Off Broadway last season was brought to Broadway this year. |
|
|
My recommendation:
Don't go
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
 |
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
|
|
|
|
| 12 |
too long, overhyped, good for a while Review by: audience members friend, Oct 23, 2011 |
agree with other 2 reviews. good acting by her; weaker by him (also his character not as developed.
play runs nearly 2 hours and desperately needs editing.
|
|
|
My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
|
|
|
|
| 13 |
A Long Night in Fur Review by: Carol, Oct 17, 2011 |
| Venus in Fur is another acting exercise by the extremely talented Nina Arianda as Vanda and Hugh Dancy as Thomas. It is a study of every permutation and combination of domination, humiliation, bondage, and submission under the literal guise of playacting. The play suffers from a lack of editing as it should have been cut to 90 minutes at most. It ran on for two hours seemingly in search of an ending. |
|
|
My recommendation:
Don't go
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
Recommended for:
Adults
|
|
|
|
|
| 14 |
excellent - inquisitive thrilling theater Review by: cd, Feb 24, 2010 |
| Such a clever and well written play - and the actors take the written word and take it to a new level - also the use of the lights are extremely powerful - thats all i have to say except go see it - very entertaining, thrilling - will leave most speechless !!! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 15 |
Wow! Highly Recommended for Thrilling Plot and Acting by the Great Nina Arianda Review by: BroadwayBabySawIt, Jan 23, 2010 |
| We usually love the Classic Theater plays - we really loved the last one, "Age of Iron." We did not know what to expect from "Venus in Fur" but we really loved this well-written thriller (by David Ives) and the great acting by Nina Arianda - we are urging everyone we know to get tickets to this play fast because the story is a real thriller, full of twists and turns, but even more so for Ms Arianda's amazing acting skills. She reminds us ... read more of a young Meryl Streep, well-earned praise for her performance in 3 roles in this play - actress seeking a job/German countess seeking love/ and Aphrodite seeking human change. And she makes it all seem so seemless and so easy, the mark of a true professional and artist. We are astonished that she just graduated from NYU last year, because she has such theater presence, we thought she must have done tons of theater. See this play so that you can say you saw her at the start of her career! Wes Bentley is fine too as the director, but Ms Arianda is far and away the star of this production. Please note: It is for mature audiences, because it does include sexual situations and references, but that said, we highly recommend this great, thrilling, rollercoster of a play for adults who love theater and great acting. Congratulations to everyone involved in this production, you are the best! PS Just spoke with 2 acting teachers who saw this production and they are also recommending it to their students and friends. Get tickets now! |
|
|
My recommendation:
must see!
|
| Acting: |
|
| Production: |
|
| Story: |
|
I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
|
Recommended for:
Adults
|
|
|
|
|
|
| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
|
