Review: Venus in Fur, Camden People’s Theatre

In the middle of a thunderstorm, a woman named Vanda bursts into the theatre – soaked, breathless, and seemingly just a disorganised, slightly desperate actress arriving late for an audition. But as the story unfolds, we quickly realise that her arrival is far more complicated than it first appears.

Currently showing at Camden People’s Theatre, Venus in Fur is director Mandi Riggi’s revival of David Ives’ 2012 Tony-nominated play. The play is based on the novella of the same name by Austrian author Leopold von Sacher-Masoch – the very man whose name gave rise to the term “Masochism.”

The 90-minute play runs without an interval and features only two actors. Set within a seemingly simple audition, the minimalist staging gradually builds a layered power dynamic between the two characters. Thomas (Flinn Andreae) is both the playwright and director, and he has a clear vision of who his ‘Vanda’ should be. But the Vanda (Jennifer Leong) who barges in seems all wrong at first: her look, her tone, her entire presence doesn’t match his expectations.

And yet, Vanda quickly takes control. She knows the script inside out, offers suggestions for rewrites, leads the rhythm of their scenes, and even gets Thomas to put on the servant’s costume and a collar symbolising submission. Step by step, Thomas slips into a role shaped by Vanda’s lead. The director, who once held the power, becomes the one being directed. And Vanda is no longer just an actress, she becomes the dominant force. Leong shifts between rough, erratic energy and a calm, seductive presence with ease. Andreae gives a more restrained performance, delicately portraying Thomas’s psychological shift from authority to surrender.

Rachael Bellis’s lighting and sound design adds tension and atmosphere. Thunder, rain, and flashes of lightning build the feeling of a closed, pressurised space, reflecting the increasing unease and intimacy between the characters.

Still, unlike film, this production can’t rely on editing or soundtrack to create pacing. Everything rests on the chemistry and timing between the two actors. Although the play flows smoothly overall, the first half feels somewhat slow, with limited tension. It’s only in the second half, when the relationship between the characters begins to shift more dramatically, that the emotional stakes start to rise.

Venus in Fur is more than just a story about gender, desire, or the dynamics of dominance and submission. It invites us to consider what is real and what is fiction. As I walked out of the theatre, I found myself still thinking about what the ending really meant.

Written by David Ives
Based on the novella by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch
Directed by Mandi Riggi
Set and Costume Design by Christianna Mason
Lighting and Sound Design by Rachael Bellis
Stage Management by Colbert Newsome and Verron Lee
Photography by Alex Brunacc
Presented by Hammer and Anvil Theatre

Venus in Fur runs at Camden People’s Theatre until Saturday 24 May 2025.