Forces of Nature, the show currently running at the Noc Noc on Thursday nights is a tour de force for the ladies of Sinner Saint Burlesque. Featuring a mix of new material, and a few old favorites, this show is sure to please their regular crowds as well as any newcomers. Hosted by Elsa Von Schmaltz, regular host of Seattle's NGR, this show is all about nature, the elements and the primal energy of the women on stage.
From SSB's newest member, Dona Dei Cuori demonstrating the effect that gravity has on apples... and brassieres, to its most senior member, Evilyn Sin Claire personifying the delicate beauty and raw sexual energy of spring, each member of Sinner Saint brings something unique to the table.
While each act, from Elsa's Bollywood performance, to Jesse Belle Jones' search for the perfect aphrodisiac, were superb, three numbers in particular are worthy of special attention.
The first is a classic strip tease, by Lady TaTas, who steps on stage in a full length mermaid gown. A scintillating array of orange and yellows dazzling our eyes, and a billowy blue parasol lends the image of sea foam. From her dress, and parasol various examples of vibrantly colored sea life are plucked off teasingly and tossed to the side. At one point, from her cleavage she pulls... well I'll let it be a surprise, but if you sit in the front row you might find yourself moistened. Embodying the vibrant life of a coral reef, Lady TaTas channels the energy of the sea with such conviction that even a pasty malfunction cannot distract her from the joie de vivre.
The second number of note, performed by Polly Wood, is a Graham-esque modern dance piece embodying the endless, whirling energy of a hurricane. Though she remains "fully clothed" through the entire piece, Polly gives hints, and glimpses of her nakedness beneath the flowing circular dress that hangs gracefully from her body. While not "burlesque" as it is typically understood this is a beautiful tribute to the art forms that have gone before and influenced the movement of neo-burlesque.
The third number is by SSB's own Wild Child, Evilyn Sin Claire. It is a number dedicated to one of the more powerful geologic forces in the world, the volcano. Evilyn smolders, smokes, erupts and flows, following in the arc of her act, the threat, explosion and cool down of a great volcano. Elements of her extensive belly dance background show through, as her hips, moving in a thick, fluid motion, give the audience the vision of a lava flow. The use of beautiful flame colored fans provides an exiting flurry of motion and color, giving us a volcanoclastic explosion. Finally, her majesty revealed, the volcano rests, but the subtle plumes of smoke remind us that she is not yet dormant.
There was a fourth act, performed by Jesse Belle Jones, that was particularly striking to me, and is likely my favorite of the piece performed over the course of the evening, but its place among the Forces of Nature still eludes me. Described as "crumbling" this piece featured elegant and torturous isolations, beautiful extensions, and a sparkling jewel studded gown. It seemed to be to embody the entropic forces of the world, or perhaps it represented the constant struggle and balance of the cosmos, stars and other forces pulling upon each other. There were elements of pain in the body language, but not pain cause by decay, rather the pain of creation. Or perhaps I am reading too much into it. I have been promised by Ms. Jones to be let in on mind behind the act, and until then it will be the mystery of the Forces of Nature that I will ponder longest.
As anyone who reads my blog will tell you, I am an SSB fanboy, perhaps my praise of the show is biased, regardless I strongly encourage you to see Forces of Nature while it is playing.
Loves,
Fosse Jack
The NocNoc, Down Town Seattle
Sinner Saint Burlesque
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