Reviewed by Christine Pyman, Wednesday 7th March 2018.
Aphrodite and the Invisible Consumer Gods is a short play about the harsh realities faced by today's consumer society, with the emphasis on the idea of consumerism. We, the savvy members of society, understand that advertising exists to make us unhappy with our lot, to yearn for something more, something else, and this performance exists to humorously highlight the ever-widening gap between promises and reality, and what that does to self-image.
Sam Donvito bursts onto the stage in a rush of goddess energy, radiating confident sexuality and sparkly, twinkling glances of allure. Donvito's natural stage presence and acting knowledge ensure that she is a totally believable Goddess, existing in her own power and right, with no doubts, albeit a certain naivety.
When interacting with her adoring audience, she asks advice about this new place where she finds herself, and turns to social media to allow her natural followers to find her. This wormhole brings her more and more into the advertisers' world, which is at odds with her natural being.
We are then introduced to Ms Paige Burn, brilliantly realised by Ellen Graham, the perfect shop assistant/beauty consultant/game show host, who seems to exist in our world for the sole purpose of making women be uncomfortable with themselves.
Both characters play out their respective roles perfectly, showing the discomfort that society projects onto self-confidence, and the resulting destruction of innate being. Donvito is the writer and producer, with both her and Graham co-devising and performing.
Christopher Bond's direction ensures that this vision works well. Sometimes it takes being a born Goddess to overcome the blatantly destructive messages of today's world.
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