"Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic"

Sinner Saint Burlesque’s newest show, “Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic” is one helluva spell. While opening night was not without a few kinks, the over all effects of SSB’s sensual enchantments were strongly and positively felt.

The narrative of this piece follows the individual journeys of six mortal women in their quest to instigate the return of the goddess Ishtar to Earth.  Ishtar, the Babylonian goddess of love, fertility, sex and war has fled to the Underworld in response to the ‘war on women’ agitated by 2012’s loud mouthed sexists in politics.  As a result lust has faded from the world, and with it the drive to propagate has diminished. The world itself stands on the brink of ruin, and the return of Ishtar is the only remedy against the extinction of life.

The story is a clever, if not so subtle piece of social commentary that draws on elements of ancient mythology to make a point.  The classical Ishtar was a powerful and important deity.  As a fertility goddess she was necessary to everyday life, she represented beauty, strength, and vitality, and the story of her descent into the Underworld is one of the most important and famous myths about her. She was also dangerous, as much daemon and deity, and other ancients myths tell of the ruin that came to the men that loved her. Even mighty warriors and fellow gods, lost virility and strength after tasting her love.  She was both loved and feared because she represented the strength, and aggression of women.

Considering the recent political movement against women’s rights, Ishtar is an appropriate icon.  But enough of that… it is not the intent of this article to analyze the politics of the show.  Just be aware that they are there.

While the Sinner Saints has been known for their thematic shows (Animalia being my favorite) this venture into story-based shows is still fairly new.  BSSM is only the second of their new narratives, but the Ladies have honed their theatrical chops since their first run earlier this spring.  BSSM is a strong story, and a more cohesive show.  The benefit of a narrative based show is that cohesion.  It allows an audience member a sense of total immersion.  Conversely, if an act doesn’t quite fit it sticks out a little bit more.  Over all, the acts in BSSM fit rather nicely.  That being said, don’t analyze too much.  A few cultural/geographic references used as introductory material seem out of place, or mismatched with the acts.  These did not take away from the show or individual performances, but for me at least, momentarily dispelled the suspension of disbelief.

BSSM features four of Sinner Saint’s Principles; Evilyn Sin Claire, Dona de Couri, Lady Tatas, and Polly Wood; as well as two new interns, Lotti Glitterati and Nikola Teasela.  Host Dive le Deviant serves in the role of Ishtar, and much to my pleasure the Sweethearts (Briq House and Penelope Rose) are as much a part of the storyline and show as the rest.  (Way to give props to the ‘hardest working girls in show business”!) 

With 6 solo artists, Seattle’s “Bitch in Charge” and the lovely Sweethearts all sharing the stage, there is a LOT of girl power rocking The Noc Noc this run.  The individual performances are all solid, and while opening night had a few costume glitches, and some difficulty with a hanging prop (keep your props simple to rig folks!), the ladies of SSB handled it all like pros. 

The highlights of the show, however, are the group acts.  That’s right, it’s plural!  While SSB has long performed group finales, the addition of an opening group act really gives this show a sexy kick-start!  Would Wicked be nearly as spectacular without its opening number?  How about a classic like Guys and Dolls, or contemporary burlesque shows like Land of the Sweets?  The opening of the show is what hooks the audience, and this show has a great hook!

So Ladies and Gentlemen, if you like stories about love goddesses being seduced into returning to Earth from the Underworld, revel in watching mortals find sexual enlightenment, or just happen to be a fan of T&A, Sinner Saint Burlesque’s “Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic” is right up your alley.  For you burlesque aficionados, BSSM has a bit of classic, a bit of neo, a spoonful of theatricality, a pinch of punk rock and a healthy dose of raw, in your face sexuality.  I said it before, it’s one helluva of spell, and the Sinner Saints cast it well.

You can catch Sinner Saint Burlesque every Thursday night at The Noc Noc in Downtown Seattle, and I suggest you do!  “Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic” will run through July 26^th! More information at: http://www.facebook.com/events/188558204603273/

Loves!

~ Fosse Jack