When you read her publicity blurb for the first time, Candy B comes across as a bad ass amazon who has dedicated her life to putting the fear of God into misogynists and other bigots.
So it’s a surprise to hear a gentle, intelligent and sweet voice come through the phone line when I interview Candy to discuss her Campbelltown connection and her new show this Saturday night in the city.
But before we get into that, let’s look at what her blurb says:
“Candy B is mouthy, poetically dexterous and deliciously dirty in her aptly named one-woman show Australian Booty,’’ rattles the blurb.
“In a sumptuous hour of jokes, stories, music and spoken word this radical babe weighs in on the Australian identity, interracial dating, Aussie TV and the booty myth,’’ it continues.
“Set to a bitchin’ sound track created by the notorious Busty Beatz, these two fierce sisters will slam, shake and tickle you all the way to the dance floor.
“If you love hip hop, but hate misogyny, love powerful women but can’t understand why they doubt themselves (or if you are one of those women) Australian Booty is for you.’’
Wow.
It certainly had yours truly, a middle aged man, worried that I had waded into some crypto, man hating, femo nazi conspiracy.
But a minute or two into our phone chat and it’s obvious the publicity blurb was just that – publicity.
Candy B is actually Candy Bowers and she is “remounting her one-woman show – Australian Booty – at the inaugural Festival Fatale in the Eternity Playhouse in Darlinghurst this Saturday night”.
She is a playwright, lyricist, stand up comic and actor, and all these entertainment strands play a part in Australian Booty.
But I ask Candy if she were allowed only one word to describe herself what would it be, and she has no hesitation in saying “poet’’, which catches me by surprise.
But then she explains that a poet in 2016 is very different from the age of Coleridge and Lord Byron.
So how did a Campbelltown girl who went to one of our famous local schools, St Pat’s, become a 21st century poet?
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“It was 100 percent all Campbelltown, the girls at St Pat’s, that made me who I am today, my persona and the way I think,’’ says Candy.[/social_quote]
Her family, originally from South Africa, moved to Campbelltown when Candy was aged 10.
She went to Holy Family School for a couple of years before going to high school to join her older sister, Kim Bowers, who goes by the stage name of Busty Beatz.
Candy went to Wollongong University after high school and enrolled in NIDA, where the acting comes from.
But Campbelltown remains in the blood as a fierce influence and the sisters, who work together, return from time to time for shows or to visit Mum in Leumeah.
“I find that when I come back to Campbelltown it’s so rewarding and I try very hard to inspire them and to connect with them,’’ Candy says.
“I do love the community in Campbelltown.’’
Candy says she has been working on a new show – One the Bear – to be staged in the Campbelltown Arts Centre in June next year.
“It’s about friendships between girls, teenage girls, the hip hop generation,’’ she says.
“I am so happy it will premiere in Campbelltown before I take it to the world.’’
There’s also a role in an upcoming ABC series to air in 2017, so it’s all happening for Candy, who is proud to point out she was one of the top students at St Pat’s way back when.
As for this Saturday’s Australian Booty show, why don’t we let the publicity blurb finish the story off with this warning to anyone thinking of attending:
“Side effects may include booty shaking and higher self esteem.’’
• To secure your tickets to Australian Booty click here.
• To find out the full Candy B story (so far) visit their website right here.
