Abandoman
I was already in a good mood before I saw this show: apparently reviewing makes you ‘part of the Fringe’ which in turn results in a 50% discount at the popcorn stand in the Garden. ($2 popcorn: try matching that Event Cinemas!) Another thrill the commercial cinemas can’t hope to replicate is the adrenalin rush one gets from seeing an awesome off-the-cuff live performance, which is exactly what Abandoman provided on Tuesday night.
Abandoman: Irish rapping superhero!
Abandoman is a one-(Irish!)man, one keytar sort of show that relies heavily on the performer’s charisma and connection with the audience to work. The night I saw him, he used this connection extremely well, drawing audience members out of their seats and out of their comfort zones. Things certainly got personal, and all the better for it. After some coaxing, various audience members confessed their most pedantic pet hates, which provided ammunition for some impressive free-styling. Anyone who can smash rhymes about the annoyance of a vacuum cleaner turned off at the power point, chocolate bars that are too thin (take note makers of Lindt chocolate: you need to beef up your blocks!) and the supreme disgust of patting a cat only to be given the ‘brown eye’, well that sort of talent is just flat-out impressive.
To be honest I had a heads-up about the show, which is probably best described as a hip hop stand-up comedy mash-up. This prior knowledge didn’t ruin my experience of the show, but rather enhanced it, so I’ve decided to share this with you: bring a random item to the show. I brought a Sammy Davis Jnr. cassette tape I found whilst rummaging around my car floor. Take anything that might prove to be lyrically inspirational *wink, wink*.
So don’t be shy, prepare to share and get along to this show!
Abandoman is playing at The Campanile in the Garden Of Unearthly Delights until Sunday 4 March. Book your tickets here.