Masquerade Theatre Company presents David Ives’ Venus in Fur

A play about love, lust and literature

Masquerade Theatre Company presents Venus in Fur by renowned playwright David Ives at Blue Box, M Space, Msida on 24, 25 and 26 February and 3, 4 and 5 March.

The play is a provocatively seductive comedy about love, lust and literature in which a young actress is determined to land the lead in a new play based on the classic erotic novel Venus in Fur. During her audition, she gets caught up in an electrifying game of cat and mouse with the director blurring the line between fantasy and reality and testing the boundaries between dominance and submission.

The play premiered off-Broadway in 2010 and on Broadway in 2011 with Nina Arianda and Hugh Dancy. Arianda won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play which also received a nomination for Best Play. In 2012 director Roman Polanski shot a film version of the play, in French, which starred Polanski’s wife Emmanuelle Seigner and Mathieu Amalric.

The production at Blue Box features two of Malta’s most experienced actors, Jo Caruana and ex-West End performer Thomas Camilleri. Although both actors are currently best known for their regular appearances in the hugely successful The Comedy Knights’ annual Christmas show, both have an impressive portfolio of serious roles in productions such as Les Misérables, All New People, Equus and Evita. The direction is in the hands of Michael Mangion, who last directed the much-acclaimed The Pride by Alexei Kaye Campbell at St James Cavalier.

The play seduced Broadway audiences when it premiered in 2011 with Nina Arianda and Hugh Dancy. Arianda won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play which also received a nomination for Best Play. In 2012 director Roman Polanski won the César Award for Best Director for his film version of the play, in French, which starred Polanski’s wife Emmanuelle Seigner and Mathieu Amalric.

Described by The New York Times as “90 minutes of good, kinky fun” and by the Wall Street Journal as “Deadly serious, madly funny… you won’t see a funnier or smarter play this season”, Venus in Fur has been one of the most popular plays to be staged in recent years and produced worldwide.

Venus in Fur is on at Blue Box Theatre, M Space, Msida on 24, 25 and 26 February and on 3, 4, 5 March. It is directed by Michael Mangion. Tickets at €15 and€20 from www.bluebox.com.mt or 7979 3737. www.masquerademalta.com