Abigoliah Schamaun: Fabulous Abs

Article by Renée Rowland | 18 Aug 2011

Watching Abigoliah Schamaun, I’m reminded of someone but I can’t quite figure out who. Schamaun is an all American buxom blonde gal, a twisted New York equivalent of Pollyanna Cowgirl. Fabulous Abs could probably be an x-rated version of He’s Just Not That Into You as she reminisces on boyfriends past, weird sexual encounters and what it’s like to be the fattest but most flexible yoga teacher in New York.

The show is dirty and Schamaun revels in your discomfort, somehow bringing you down to her level: She has the audience describing their most risqué moments in the sack as if it is completely normal, everyday conversation. She is a dirty and refreshing girl next door, and though she probably shouldn’t be dressed like a roller derby girl with legs like that, she certainly doesn’t care about what you think she should do. Germaine Greer would give a nod of approval as Schamaun cuts through the derogatory hype around sexually aggressive single woman. Schamaun is strong, wholesome and will disarm you with a smile after telling a joke predominantly around the ‘C’ word.

Eventually it comes to me: Schamaun reminds me of what I imagine Britney Spears to be like: a foul mouthed sweetheart, aggressively feminine, endearingly butch and curiously disturbed.

2030, 4-28 August, Free, The Lounge at The Counting House www.freefestival.co.uk