Theatre Kingston stages Isabel Bader Centres first theatre production

By Hollie Pratt-Campbell

David Ives' play Venus in Fur could be described as a very ‘meta’slice of theatre on many levels –though perhaps especially for a male director like Brett Christopher, who directed Theatre Kingston’s production of the play, opening this week at the Isabel.

Venus in Fur tells of an actress named Vanda Jordan (Charlotte Gowdy), who is auditioning for a part in a play written and directed by Thomas Novacheck (Shane Carty); the ‘play within the play’is an adaptation of German writer Leopold von Sacher-Masoch’s novella Venus in Furs.

“It’s a simple concept,”says Christopher. “This play is about a woman who’s auditioning for a part who probably is the worst option possible, but the guy gives her an audition anyway. Over the course of their 90 minutes together a whole bunch of stuff comes out about him, about her, about the play, about society. It just kind of unravels into this huge, rich tapestry.”

Christopher notes that he’s also come face-to-face with certain subconscious aspects of himself over the course of directing the play.

“I relate to the character [of Thomas] because he’s a white, liberal-minded male - sensitive, kind,”Christopher says. “He has written a play he thinks is really to celebrate women and their power. He felt he could be the mouthpiece as the playwright for women’s empowerment, to strengthen women, and in the end she unveils his innate sexism.”

The running theme in Venus in Fur is sadomasochism (S&M) –but don’t expect too much innuendo.

“Generally it’s a frank discussion about sex and power,”says Christopher.

Theatre Kingston’s Venus in Fur is the first professional production to be held in Queen’s University’s new Isabel Bader Centre.

“We’re very lucky,”says Christopher. “It’s an incredible space. The hope is that by bringing professional artists into a student setting it will help create an example of the art form for them, so they’re not just watching student work, but also professional work and understanding what that level of work is.”

Christopher, who is also the artistic director of Theatre Kingston, hopes to continue to build on this relationship when the company moves into the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning, located right next door to the Isabel, in the New Year.

“I want to have a really strong relationship with the professors and the students and the other groups that come through this space because I think we can create quite a strong hub together.

“These buildings are literally 50 feet from one another,”he adds. “It’s a perfect example of that city-university connection.”

Venus in Fur runs Nov. 21 –Dec. 7 at the Isabel Bader Centre. For tickets, visit www.theisabeltickets.ca.