Bootless Stageworks Presents VENUS IN FUR, Now thru 3/22

Love. Seduction. Dominance. Sex. Bootless Stageworks' production of Venus in Fur - the award winning play by David Ives - brings all of this and more to the Delaware stage next month.

In Venus in Fur, writer-director Thomas Novachek auditions actresses for his new play, an adaptation of the 1870 novel Venus in Furs which inspired the term Masochism. Vanda Jordan fits the part, perhaps a little too well. As they read through the play together and Vanda vies for the role, the two become wrapped up in a test of wills. Vanda shows astonishing insights into the novel and her character as the actress establishes total dominance over the director, exactly as in the novel.

"It's the battle of the sexes! It's the unavoidable game men and women play when both want something from the other," says Sean Gallagher (Thomas in Venus in Fur). "It's the ultimate battle of power. This play is Thunderdome Theatre. Two people enter. One person leaves."

A two person cast, the show is as intimate as it is exciting. The cast features Bootless' first Actors Equity Association contracted actress Kelly Warne (as Vanda) and Bootless alum Sean Gallagher (as Thomas Novachek.) Sean, who now lives and works as an actor in New York City, had one of his very first acting experiences in Delaware on the Bootless stage.

"My first show with Bootless was the farce Love, Sex, and the I.R.S. It was one of my first shows ever so I'm not sure what I was doing up there, but Rosanne [Bootless Executive & Artistic Director] and the cast were great and helped tremendously," says Sean, "Bootless was a great spring board for me as an actor and it's great to be back!"

Back on the Bootless stage once more, Sean and the talented Kelly Warne will bring to life the story the New York Times calls "a suspense-packed study of the erotics (and the semiotics) of power." Venus in Fur asks some big questions about dominance, power, sexuality, and gender. David Ives blurs the lines between sex and love and fantasy and reality. Most of all, however, Venus in Fur is just a night of engaging, fun theatre.

"This play has something to appeal to everyone," says Kelly Warne who plays aspiring actress Vanda, "It's funny, it's sexy, it provokes discussion if you're into that, and if you're not, did I mention it's sexy?"

Venus in Fur runs from March 13th through March 22nd at The Black Box at OperaDelaware Studios, 4 S. Poplar St., Wilmington, DE. Tickets available now. For more information, please visit www.bootless.org/venus-in-fur.

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