Since Belle de Jour, the mysterious world of escorts has been coming into clearer definition but still remains for most an area outside of day-to-day experience. For 'Coin-Operated Girl', Miranda Kane has decided to pull back the curtain completely. Having recently hung up the whips and fishnets, she has put on this casual lecture to share her stories. And what stories they are!
I must point out that this is not a show in the dramatic sense and sits somewhere close to stand-up in tone, though the humour comes mostly from her charming skills as a raconteur. The set is minimal, essentially just decoration, and she is helped by a range of notes to help her to remember all of the details. It took a bit of time for me to settle into the light, show-and-tell mood but once she had set the audience at ease with a bit of banter, it was all about the material.
For somebody entirely ignorant of the ways of the escort, it really was an eye-opener. Miranda covered her own motivations for getting into the business, the weird and wonderful peccadillos of her clients and the gritty elements of the self-employed aspect of the job, much like any other such work. Those looking for titillation might want to look elsewhere as the show is kept mostly clean (though with plenty of detail and innuendo) but anyone intrigued by the world of the larger lady escorts will find plenty to keep their attention.
There is no judgement in the show. Whatever you may think of escorts and the business, this talk sticks to the facts and the fun, leaving everything else to the sides for the duration of the show. Miranda is open and personable and delivers a package of experiences that might be considered edgy or even taboo with a refreshing bluffness. It’s a simple show but I was captivated and I think that’s exactly what it aims for.
