We are big fans of Abigoliah Schamaun at Funny Women. Abigoliah was a finalist in our 2010 Funny Women Awards, a host in our 2013 Awards heats and her show 'Subtle' was nominated for our Best Show Award last year. This year Abigoliah has brought her new show 'Abigoliah Schamaun is Working on it' to the Brighton Fringe and we were there for its first night!
The show is currently a work in progress, so you could say Abigoliah really is 'working on it'. However the final product is going to be great. Abigoliah has gone multimedia with this show, laptops, projections and…a large file of papers all go into making the show entertaining as she takes us through her life as an eight year old onward.
I know, I know, usually when someone cracks out old family albums to show you photos of themselves and the odd school assignment you think YAWN! But this is Abigoliah Schamaun we're talking about. No dull and ordinary childhood for her. Instead we learn how sisters with no access to video games entertained themselves with sticks and a puddle and see a detailed analysis of Abigoliah's mental state as a little girl.
The audience is also treated to the intricate school photos. No dull mottled brown or grey background for Abigoliah's school on photo day. Not only did Abigoliah get to dress herself up in whatever manner she felt best represented her, but she could choose to be photographed in either a floral or outback scene. I have to say…the entire show was very funny. But I sincerely felt I crossed a line from just amused laughter to cruel cackling, considering these photos were of a child. A child that had grown up into a very funny woman who was standing in front of me.
This show is great fun, with material that ranges from the tragic to the rather seedy and you will laugh all the way through…
Kate Stone
Catch Abigoliah's show 'Abigoliah Schamaun is Working on it' tonight, 7th May at the Caroline of Brunswick. For tickets and more information click HERE!
