Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM FEBRUARY 7-13, 2018 UCW 15 From the jump, I don't like this guy. He's a pretentious jerk with a genuine chip on his shoulder when it comes to women. He thinks women are stupid and shallow and uncultured. He says, "Most 24-year-olds sound like 6-year- olds on helium." As a 24-year-old myself, that kind of generalization grinds my gears. And this is just the first 5 minutes of the Gilbert eater's production of David Ives' "Venus in Fur." But as the drama unravels, ir- ritation transforms into a ticklish delight for sitting in what is perhaps one of the most feminist plays I've ever seen. It's rough around some production edges, but for a two-person play, the actor and ac- tress truly attempt to rise to the occasion. e play is a reimagining of the 1870 book by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, which has all the kinky flourishes of the S&M world, but wrapped up in high-brow Victorian mystique. e stage adaptation, however, could not be far- ther away from the perspective of an S&M voyeur. It begins with the aforementioned jerk, a play- wright/director named omas, played by Justin Matthew Toyer. He's bemoaning over the phone how there are no actresses built for his adaptation of this dusty classic. In walks Vanda Jordan, played by Nicki Hart, with bags of cos- tumes over her shoulder and a ton of excuses. She's late for her audi- tion as the Victorian dominatrix. at's of no consequence, though, because she's game to start now. And by god, does the game begin. Unlike with omas, Vanda is hilariously vulgar and sharp. I think it's safe to assume the rest of the audience liked her as well I did – especially when she says such relatable stuff as, "Usually I'm real demure and shit." Hart demonstrates a rare clarity of presence onstage. Meaning she's there, not just pantomiming to be there. As they begin to read lines together, the figura- tive power play of the story turns into a literal one between the two. Vanda knows just how to bolster omas' ego, offering a few insights here and there, making some jokes at her own expense. When it becomes glaringly obvious that Vanda knows the subtext of the story better than omas, the tide starts turn- ing. She starts to direct the director before eventu- ally having him read as and be punished as Vanda himself. It's a play that can put itself in a woman's often-compromising position, but then gives her the agency to see herself out of it. Hart and Toyer in the main roles are to be ap- plauded for their efforts – though one could argue you can't often feel the sexual tension from their situation. It's more so a political tension. Hart definitely had the tougher task of switching vicariously between the British-Victorian Vanda accent and what can only be described as the New Jersey Vanda accent – all the while standing in nothing except some fabulous lingerie. e ending was a disappointment in this wardrobe regard, though. Let's just say, in omas' humiliation finale, it would have been only right to strip him down to his bare essentials. Still, rarely is a story so fascinating to me that I'm forced to imagine motivations of the story before the story. But "Venus in Fur" made me do just that. I couldn't help but wonder if the script was really dropped on Vanda's agent's desk. Was her name ever really Vanda? Is she some kind of feminist vigilante that shows up at auditions to dismantle male writers' baseless points of view on women? All of the above I hope are true. "Venus in Fur" plays at the Gilbert eater until Feb. 17. Call 910-678-7186 for tickets and for more information. Gilbert Theater's 'Venus in Fur' a witty and entertaining show by LAUREN VANDERVEEN EVENTS LAUREN VANDERVEEN, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. For More Information: Call Today 910.391.3859 Better Business Bureau of Coastal Carolina | bbb.org/myrtle-beach Add Trust To Your Brand Get Accredited 1,500 new families move into Fayetteville and Cumberland County every month. Many depend on the Better Business Bureau to recommend local "trustworthy" businesses and services. Are you an Accredited BBB Business? "Venus in Fur" plays at the Gilbert Theater through Feb. 17.