Rick Miller & Carly Street to Lead Canadian Stage's VENUS IN FUR, 9/29-10/27

This fall Canadian Stage turns up the heat with an original Canadian production of David Ives' smart and sexy play Venus in Fur, starring Dora Award-winner Rick Miller (MacHomer, Just for Laughs, Lipsynch) as Thomas and Carly Street(The Good Wife, Broadway, The Stratford Festival) as Vanda. Directed by Jennifer Tarver (The Stratford Festival, Necessary Angel), the production is on stage at the Bluma Appel Theatre (27 Front St. E) from September 29 to October 27.

"Venus in Fur is a brilliantly orchestrated showdown between the sexes, crossing messages and injected with mythologies that continue to haunt us," said Matthew Jocelyn, artistic & general director, Canadian Stage. "I can think of no director better suited to explore this sharp, troubling tale about relationships, obsession and fantasy than Jennifer Tarver, who is working with a stellar cast. We look forward to sharing this great work with our audiences."

This play about a play follows a young actress (Street) determined to land the lead in a new play based on the classic sadomasochistic novel, Venus in Furs. During her audition, she gets caught up in an electrifying game of cat and mouse with the playwright/director (Miller) that blurs the line between fantasy and reality in an increasingly serious match of submission and domination that only one of them can win.

"Venus in Fur touches on some hot topic issues: sexual politics, feminism, gender relations and the representation of women in art, but at its core I feel it is about the interplay between reality and fiction," said Tarver. "It is smart, provocative, erotic, mind-twisting fun. And, like most really good plays, it works on many different levels."

Set, costume, and properties designer Debra Hanson works to create a simple space on stage that is true to the theatrical world called for in the script. The rehearsal studio in which the action is set doubles as an island that floats between reality and fiction. Costumes were finalized throughout the rehearsal process, with many items referenced in the dialogue or stage notes by the playwright. Lit from all sides and through windows,Michael Walton's lighting design treats the stage as a film set alongside sound design by Lyon Smith that brings the production to life.

An interactive childcare program, facilitated by Improv Care, will be offered at the theatre during the October 6 matinee (pre-registration required), with free pre-show talks as well as post-show talkbacks held before and after select performances. An 'Intro to Kink'workshop offering an overview of S&M techniques facilitated by ASLAN Leather andGood for Her will be offered before the performance on Saturday, October 26 from 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

For a schedule and details visit: https://www.canadianstage.com/online/venus.

Venus in Fur will be on stage at the Bluma Appel Theatre (27 Front St. E.). Performances run Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. with matinees on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. The performance is approximately 90 minutes with no intermission. Tickets from $24 to $99 are available online, by phone at 416.368.3110 or in person at the box office. For details visit www.canadianstage.com.

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