Review of ‘Josh Sharp: ta-da!’: “Bottomless-fun play tops many forecomers”

The Soho Theatre hosts the London premiere of Sharp’s autobiographical comedy monologue, led by Oh, Mary’s director, Sam Pinkleton. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show to let us know if its coming-out, coming-of-age story has any skeletons (or twinks) in the closet.

He’s gay. He’s very gay. That’s what this fabulous is all about: being gay and making other people gay. It’s comedy, after all. And also, he’s a homosexual, in case you didn’t gather that from the pictures. And the title. And the fact that this show overflows with that sort of social cum-mentary.

Hello. Hi. Hello. How are you? Hello. Hi. Hello. No, I haven’t gone mad (I already was born that way). However, Josh Sharp’s opening (of the show, that is) may lead the viewer to that conclusion. His overwhelming blabbering, featuring every greeting known to man (and queen), could easily pass for an episode of LSD-induced psychosis. There’s not much promise to it. And yet, his inviting energy wouldn’t release us from his grip.

A plain slide presentation supports the act.  Every word he utters instantly pops on the screen, typed in a black, sterile font over a white, virgin background. The irony of it is uncanny.

No one promised a high budget. And no one should be expecting it, either. We’ve been cautioned, though: this is a 75-minute performance (please remember that punctuality is no longer a British virtue), and we’re expected to go through 2,000 more stills over the course of an evening. Hold on to your butts — quite literally.

There’s no other way to describe this comedy act but as an act of excellence. Sharp’s witty writing (see what I did there?), impeccable timing, captivating presence, and strong narrative skills secure this show’s status as one of the greatest examples of its genre. It’s funny, ironic, moderately thought-provoking, and awfully entertaining. It has every element truly intelligent humour calls for. And it adds a pinch of sassiness as its recipe for effervescence.

This is another queer piece. As such, a heartfelt coming-out story is mandatory. There’s no need to roll your eyes (I can see you…). Sharp’s writing takes a familiar premise to an uncharted territory, infusing it with freshness, creativity, and vitality.

The script takes us on an intimate journey of self-discovery. He was born in a small town during the sinister pre-Glee era. He knew that he was gay from a young age, but he struggled to embrace his sexuality until way into adulthood, where he would start making lots of friends — or that’s how his VD doctor would put it.

Nothing new to any other homosexual fellow, but that’s what makes it so pure (ish…) and enticing. It’s not the fact that so many of us have been through similar experiences. It’s the honesty it brims with that makes it so compelling and resonant. It’s a personal outing in every sense of the word. And as much as it’s hilarious for the most part, it’s also moving and, ultimately, beautiful.

The text does an extraordinary job in keeping the appropriate balance among all these traits. It never loses its jocular tone, but it’s simultaneously able to touch us and encourage us to reflect. Every component is carefully honed and selected into its intricate machinery. There are no shortages or shortcomings. And the only excess stems from the amusement, depth, and emotiveness it provides us with.

Josh Sharp delivers a superb performance. His natural showmanship underpins the appeal of an already seductive work. It might sound ironic to say he plays a fine portrayal of himself. Yet, that’s exactly what he does. His rendition teems with charm, warmth, and proximity. And acting abilities should never be underestimated. You will be tricked — in every way a person can be tricked.

It doesn’t seem like LGBT-themed theatre has been living a golden age recently. Nonetheless, a few exceptions have surfaced. We can confidently say this one has made it to the very top. Smart, uplifting, high-spirited, and heavily curated, ta-da! is a joyous celebration of individuality and self-affirmation, which is likely to inspire many others to set their own record straight. Also, if you’ve read this, you’re gay now.

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All pictures credit to Emilio Madrid.

Josh Sharp: ta-da! plays at London’s Soho Theatre until 28 February. Tickets are available on the following link.