Venus in Fur

Burbage Theatre Company's production of David Ives' erotic drama "Venus in Fur" knows the music but not the words.

The performers, Jeff Church and Valerie Westgate, as frustrated playwright Thomas and the seductive actress Vanda, give it their all but never quite connect.

Thomas has been auditioning actresses for the role of Vanda in his play "Venus in Fur." He hasn't found what he has been looking for until Vanda enters his studio one day and reveals a leather bustier under her raincoat.

Vanda is a real live wire, bursting with energy and not at all hesitant about expressing her opinions of Thomas' play, based on a famous novel.

Thomas defends his writing after Vanda categorizes it as "S and M porn."

They proceed to act out the roles, with the line between reality and fantasy becoming increasingly unclear.

Vanda is a woman with a lot of tricks up her sleeve. What kind of a game is she playing? Is she really just pursuing a role or does she have some deeper motivation?

Ives has created an intriguing premise and provides amusing commentary on the absurdities of theatrical auditions and the neuroses of stage actors.

The theme of actresses being sexually exploited in the name of art is a timely one, considering the flood of harassment allegations being lodged against Hollywood producers and directors.

We are meant to cheer when Vanda strikes a blow for female empowerment and humiliates the sexist playwright by tying him to a post. At last, the woman is victorious in combat.

However, this is where "Venus in Fur" fails, because far from being an oppressed victim, Vanda ends up dominating Thomas for the entire audition. Although he is the writer and director, Vanda has the upper hand. She taunts, teases, and manipulates Thomas relentlessly, so when he gets his supposed comeuppance in the final scene, it doesn't have any impact.

There's another major problem. Westgate, who has delivered stellar work in other productions, plays Vanda too broadly. Here she is more manic than sexy. As a result, the tension between Vanda and Thomas is deflated.

Church displays terrific comedic timing and is riveting when Thomas flies into a rage about Vanda's criticism. We see him as the egomaniacal artist who can't comprehend being questioned about his artistic vision.

Vanda and Thomas are constantly debating the sexual power of the characters in his play as they engage in their own power struggle.

This all had the potential to really explode but sadly, the heat is missing.

We expect to see real fireworks between Church and Westgate, but their interactions only smolder when they should be blazing.

Maybe it's the fault of director Kate Kataja, who should have gone for a darker approach with this material.

Andrew Iacovelli's set design, consisting of artfully arranged piles of books, is striking and fun to look at.

When all is said and done, I left "Venus in Fur" unsatisfied. It is competent yet oddly mechanical. The success of a play like this depends on the chemistry between the performers. Church and Westgate try their best, but their effort never quite takes off.

"Venus in Fur" runs through February 4. Burbage Theatre Company. www.burbagetheatre.org. For more information, [email protected] or leave a message at 401-484-0355.