We Open on Venus

By Christopher Stasheff

Book Overview

TOIL AND TROUBLE

The Star Company launched its new venture in classic theatrical style: they got run out of town -- on a rocket But with the reactionary LORDS party left safely behind on Earth, the traveling troupe set its sights on taking Shakespeare to the stars...

Destination: New Venus.

The name hinted at exotic delights -- but life on New Venus was thoroughly regimented by Amalgamated Petroleum, a Terran-based oil cartel. And though the planet was awash in petrochemicals from the Bay of Benzene to the Gulf of Oil, none of life's little pleasures -- air, water -- came cheap in this company town.

Enter the Star Company, with its incendiary mix of veteran troupers, innocent ing nues, and volatile prima donnas. When Amalgamated approved a production of MacBeth -- to be staged in the high school gymnasium -- the actors bravely took to the boards in the name of the Bard. Little did anybody imagine how much trouble those three witches would stir up

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1953215955
• ISBN13: 9781953215956
• Release Date: December 2025
• Publisher: Stasheff Literary Enterprises
• Length: 244 Pages
• Weight: 0.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

The Company Store

After barely making it off planet Earth our valiant band of troupers land at the first colony world, after having spent the 3 week trip working up several possible plays to play there. New Venus is run by the big bad oil companies the same way the worst mill towns were during the early industrial age. Heck it was worse, because the company was the government on New Venus. On top of this the compny bosses don't want them to put on a play. This is how We Open On Venus starts. A well plotted out novel with descent characters and witty dialog it is Sci-Phi's answer to the Circus World for those who want to understand the inner workings of an acting company; I only wish it was as good as any of the Circus World books. This is not a criticism persay, because the Circus World books are some best books I have read in any genre. Yes, alot of the characters are cliches, but the constantly changing view points of the action as seen thru the eyes of the different compamy members, and the ongoing education of the warrior turned gofer on the history and psychology of the theatre is what makes it a 4 star book.

A lovely blend of theatre and fantasy

Well, speaking as an actor and a Stasheff fan, I can say I found this book (and indeed, the whole series) perfectly delightful. While a few of the characterizations are a little bit stereotyped (no character actresses? Really, Mr. Stasheff!), I have to admit that, to one extent or another, I've trod the boards with each and every one of those folks---guess things only get to be stereotypes because they're true. The plot is fast-paced and beautifully developed, and Stasheff has obviously done his research. The technical details (at least, those connected to the theatre) are beautifully accurate, and Mr. Stasheff is one of the few authors I've seen who can actively capture on-stage, off-stage, and audience reaction simultaneously without being a single bit boring. There's a nice tie-in with his Warlock series, as well, but only if you're paying close attention. All in all, this is an excellent book, and I recommend it quite highly. Now, if he'd only *finish* the series...