Aphrodite’s Voodoo showcases chanteuse Jennifer DeGrassi with her live band and some special guests. Set in the beautiful Royal Croquet Club on the northern banks of the River Torrens, the Plaza Parlour tent is an intimate Bedouin style space that is perfect for the dark and mysterious journey to come.
The voice of Anais Nin echoes as we take our seats before two women adorned in black feathers perform a ritualistic dance to a dark and tribal soundtrack, complete with fire breathing.
A three piece band, consisting of keys, double bass and drums enter and begin an extended version of “I Put a Spell on You” with DeGrassi sensually on vocals, dressed in a black suit, her flaming red hair a striking feature. The intimacy of the bedouin style theatre allows her to get close and personal with the audience seated café style.
“Moves Like Jagger” is the next song and the tone becomes even deeper and more personal. Songs about love, lost love, and attraction to the wrong person makes up the theme of this show, but certainly not in a depressing or sad way but in a celebratory way that self-reflection brings.
We take pause to listen again to Anais Nin and her poem about how we reach out to those distant while ignoring those close to us is even more pertinent in this social media age.
Of course there are moments of lightness, “Orgasmatron” is a fun and joyful song about I guess you know what. There’s a playful moment with Dan on keyboards who also wants an orgasm.
Winter Amore is a dancer dressed in an oriental inspired costume who does a mesmerising fire dance that includes fire breathing and dances of fire along the skin.
DeGrassi is back on stage with a song inspired by poet Maya Angelou, “Love Temptation”, further complementing her tribute to talented women.
Dressed in black lace, Wendy Dys is next up with a display of skill and strength above the audience. To a dark Nick Cave backdrop “The Lyre of Orpheus”, she writhes and contorts on the trapeze. “Oh momma Oh momma” he intones as we gasp in awe.
The final song pokes a gentle dig at the well-documented man cold.
Aphrodite’s Voodoo is a joyful ode to womanhood that celebrates the life of women without becomes cloying or preachy. It’s an entertaining and fun night out in the Fringe.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The reviewer attended the performance on 21st February. Shows until 4th March. For more details head here: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/aphrodite-s-voodoo-af2018
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