The best-selling author flies off her urban queen-dom for one night only, in this one-woman show telling the real stories behind the book that inspired the iconic TV series. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on her performance, to let us know if its Hump Day performance got to be a satisfier.
Every time I walk down the London streets, I like stopping for a moment in front of some of its buildings, and stare at those little blue plaques that reveal the place’s long-lived identity. Many times, I say to myself: “Someday, it will be my name that will be engraved in one of those signs”. And the reason why is because that will be one more site where I also had sex. Whoring all my way around the city (I’m in that age – that I’ve kept telling me for years), it really comes as a no brainer to venture into the London Palladium to see the woman that started it all. No, we didn’t… For God’s sake – golden gay here! But the fact that her sexcapades gave a bit of inspiration to more than one generation, well, that’s not easy to deny.
Known as Carrie Bradshaw in the world of fiction (and also the gossip world while using it as her pen name), Candace Bushnell brought the heat and sass of New York to the page through her first column, later roman a clef piece, Sex And The City. A tale of four friends living the glamour and fun of one of the most vibrant locations around the globe, one can’t help but wonder where the source material may have been drained from (no pun intended). And believe me, there’s a lot of stuff that actually happened. But may be not in the way you’ve been shown. The only way to find out, is to come pay her a visit.
A glittified version of a West Village apartment unfolds onstage as the glitziest pop anthems set the atmosphere for an evening of pure joy and entertainment. Lights dim, whispers of anticipation take over and then… in less than a second, they are substituted by the thunderous applause of the audience welcoming their star. Bushnell has entered the room. And she’s bringing good news only! Well, a few sad stories too, but she knows how to laugh at things – and at herself!
With her infectious charm pouring through every side of herself (I may need to rephrase that…), the author of the steamiest rom-com novella opens up (figure of speech!) to uncover the truth about the facts and artistic licenses that constructed the life of probably the best-paid columnist (we’re still wondering how she managed to afford that flat…) in the Empire City. And yes, she will be answering that long-waited question you may have already looked up on the Internet. Was there a Mr. Big?
Filled with feel-good humour and great warmth, the only flaw comes through some of the punchlines, which turn out to be either too predictable or repetitive. Yes, you will get a giggle out of the, precisely, Mr. Big joke. But it’s either using that name and saying that it’s because no one gets angry if you call them that, or because you they will if they call them Mr. Small. If you say both, you’re milking it too much. And babe, we both know that when it comes to that, when it’s done, it’s done.
Nonetheless, it’s still an uplifting night out meant for nothing else but bringing a few smiles along the way. And in that, it does succeed. Though playing the victim card a bit too much, it’s still quite an enjoyable classic story about the underdog that manages to make it in the big pond. And in some way, it becomes an encouraging message for anyone that has a dream to follow. You’ve seen the TV version. You may have read the print. But you know what they say. Before it gets once again distorted by these Hollywood piranhas. If you wanna hear the real facts. You’ve come to the right party.
True Tales of Sex, Success and Sex In The City is currently on tour around the UK until 16 February. Tickets and locations are available on the following link.