Simpsons Come to London (Properly This Time)

No, it wasn’t a particularly good episode, but when The Simpsons last came to London Hecklerspray felt an extra morning Rich Tea was in order at the very least.

And now they’re back! Not the Rich Teas, The Simpsons! And this time they’re live! Well, he’s live!  Or rather, she’s live! – oh, just read on…

Nancy Cartwright voices Bart Simpson, but that’s no dramatic revelation for anybody. 

She also has her own one-woman show (based on her book) called ‘My Life as a Ten Year Old Boy’, which is perhaps slightly more worthy of an “oh, really?”. 

Having the knowledge that this show had a stint at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe would definitely make you sound more intelligent than a chattering gooney-bird.

But tell anyone you fancy that My Life as a Ten Year Boy’s coming to the London stage next month and you’ve pulled - that’s guaranteed*.

Cartwright was only considered a mildly talented comedienne and actress before she joined The Simpsons.  Be hungover enough to catch one of Five’s weekday afternoon movies and you might even see one of her early performances as ‘concerned housewife number 3’ or something. 

Judging by reviews of her show’s Edinburgh run ("Cartwright only really gets laughs when she’s quoting someone else”, Chortle Comedy Guide) working at The Simpsons probably doesn’t appear make you any funnier than you already were.

My Life as a Ten Year Old Boy is all about Cartwright’s experiences making The World’s Greatest Ever TV Programme™ over the last seventeen years. 

She fills up stage time with anecdotes, minimal self-deprecation (she is American, after all) and a few snippets of Bart swearing, which is probably her ace card by all accounts. 

None of this bodes well for anything more than a couple of paragraphs in the Evening Standard’s West End Final.  Day job, don’t give up, ete, etc.

Nancy Cartwright hits the capital’s smog ridden streets (think she’ll know not to wear white during rush hour?) on the 24th May, her show closing a mere five days later on the 29th.  She’s appearing at Riverside Studios and if you want a ticket we don’t have twenty to give away.  Try phoning this number with your credit card details instead  - 020 8237 1111.

Thinking about it, the ‘Simpsons Come to London’ headline was a blatant lie.  But look on the bright side, at least you know where the Riverside Studios website is now.  Better than money, that.

*Not guaranteed

[story by Chris Laverty]