Yes, we are talking about BDSM. But this is so much more than a kink story
Nathan Schulz, otherwise known as The Drama Merchant, aims to produce new and revived work, which is Immersive, interactive, and extraordinary to a new generation of Queensland theatre goers. We chat to him about Venus in Fur by David Ives.
Tell us about the show in 100 words or less
A Playwright and director audition’s a woman, for his stage adaptation based on the 1870’s erotic novel Venus in Fur written by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch. As the audience witness the two ‘audition’ each other they will soon start to wonder if they are actually witnessing the tables being turned on the director, much like his character Kushemski, as he becomes subdued by the actress? Yes, we are talking about BDSM. But this is so much more than a kink story.
Anywhere Festival takes place anywhere but a theatre. Tell us about your venue. What is it about your space that adds to your audience experience?
Venus in Fur will be performed for an audience of 25, in a rehearsal room at The Moon Room at Arcana. An audience of 18 in the intimate surroundings The Farrier Bar, at the QA Hotel, and an audience of 40 on the Gold Coast at a music studio called Motet Creative Studios. Each location is intimate and will give the show a different up close and personal perspective as the audience watches, like a fly on the wall, this kinky and intelligent battle of sexes that will challenge their views.
Jenna Eve & Dominic Bradley, and Director Nathan Schulz. Photo by Winartavisuals
What is your creative process like?
Collaboration and trust is the key! I blocked and gave a rhythm to the play and allowed suggestions from the actors, and crew, as we created a comfortable environment for all of us to explore and push our boundaries to create an intimate, challenging, and immersive piece of theatre from the material David Ives has written. When I first read this script in 2015, I knew I would never set it on a tradition stage.
Tell us your origin story. How did your show start?
Originally started as Nathan Schulz presents in 2015, upon entering into Anywhere Festival and adopting the festivals premise that ‘theatre can be performed in any space’, I produced two ghost stories in an oddities shop called “Lights Out Vol. 1” (2015) and “The Curiosity Experiment” (2016), in 2017 a romantic comedy called “2Across” set on a 1960’s Tram at the Brisbane Tramway Museum. The Curiosity Experiment, an immersive ghost story for an audience of 13 only, had sold out shows in both the Melbourne and Adelaide fringe festivals in 2016 – 2017. In 2017 Nathan Schulz presents became The Drama Merchant and created a retro audio storytelling experience called the “The Radioplay Hour”, which has been performed in heritage locations between the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast and in 2019 produced and directed two shows set in a 1940s Queenslander house for Intimate audience, Dial M for Murder and The Eight Reindeer Monologues.
Who is your perfect audience member? Who is going to LOVE this event?
If you’re a fan of the original novel by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, enjoyed 50 Shades of Grey, looking for some female empowerment or an entertaining piece of theatre that explores and pushes the taboo of many social issues, then Venus in Fur will appeal to you. But it is a show that you have to be over 21 to see.
Is there anything else we simply MUST know about the show?
This show has partial nudity and adult scenarios and themes, hence why you must be over the age of 21 to see it. It is immersive, inclusive and will make you feel like intruders, voyeurs and maybe even a little awkward at times. But don’t take my word for it, why not come along and see how Venus in Fur makes you feel?
Venus in Fur by David Ives takes place as part of Anywhere Festival on the 9th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 21st, and 22nd May, in various venues including Arcana, Farrier Bar, Motet Creative Studios.
