David Iver’s Venus in Fur is one of the most intense 90 minutes of showtime I’ve experienced in some time.  It starts out as what appears to be an innocent, unplanned audition.  As the two main characters are acting out a dramatization of the 1870s novella “Venus in Furs,” by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, the story takes a sudden turn and involves revenge, S&M and torture.

Nina Arianda plays Vanda, the actress auditioning for the lead role, and Hugh Dancy plays the playwright, Thomas.  The two of them have an interesting chemistry, although their initial attraction is not felt at first, it definitely shows itself as the 90 minutes go by and intensifies by the play’s end.

When the play starts, Thomas has been auditioning actresses all day and is about to go home. He’s exhausted and has dinner plans. Vanda storms in, and demands an audition, throwing curse words left, right and center.  Her name isn’t on his list, but he agrees to audition her, after sensing her determination. When he learns of her passion for the play, he decides to read opposite her and their rapport starts to build.  He delays dinner plans and they read the play line by line, changing in and out of garments from a bag she brought with her.

As they read, everything starts to change.  At first, it appears that the two are gleefully acting out the show going in and out of British/American accents (from real person to the character they are playing).  Then she is revealing details of his personal life that he’s wondering how she knows. She knows way too much about his girlfriend, and he finds it odd but at first thinks she is psychic.  While he is busy analyzing the text of the play, he has no idea that he is about to be tormented  by the actress he probably should have never let through the door in the first place.  They play is dark and twisted but you will feel yourself inching off your seat, yearning to know what’s in store for these characters, not that the ending is particularly clear. It leaves questions but only the type that are left to your imagination.

The result is dazzling and this is not a play to be missed.  Save up to 30% on tickets here or call 212-947-8844 and mention code VFTMC13.  The Lyceum Theatre is located at 149 W. 45th Street.

Disclosure: I was provided with complimentary tickets to facilitate this review but all opinions expressed are my own.