Life + Rhymes Performers: Abandoman (Rob Broderick and Sam Wilson)At: The Famous Spiegeltent, Arts Centre forecourtUntil: April 23.

COMEDY REVIEW
By RUBY MULLER

Warning: this show could make you feel very, very stupid.

You might just walk out of Abandoman’s Life + Rhymes wondering if Rob Broderick is even human.

Comedy aside, the skill required to freestyle rap, as he does in the show, is astounding. His ability to perform while piling on a generous serving of humour creates an act that is utterly delectable. 

If rap music isn't your cup of tea, don't let that put you off. The duo has an innate capacity to have the crowd laughing and singing along throughout, even if they don't change anyone's mind about the genre.

For those unfamiliar with the Abandoman format, front man Broderick takes cues from his audience members as the basis of an off-the-cuff rap, all done to the slick tracks laid down by his partner, Sam Wilson.

This means each show is unique, with each night including its own set of jokes, songs, and audience mishaps. On this night, Broderick rapped about a shepherd's pie that, for whatever reason, a woman had brought along in her bag. 

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An audience member is dragged into the action at Abandoman's show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year.

The other patrons in The Famous Spiegeltent didn't make it much easier for Broderick,  offering up some hilarious and, at times, incredibly difficult prompts (extra kudos for being able to rhyme "hepatitis Victoria"). 

The opening number included a rap about John and Gary the teachers, Carol the cleaner and Jude the stripper, after asking audience members at random for their name and occupation.

A highlight was when Jude the stripper made a reappearance dancing on the pole of a tram in a later song, after a woman named Annette shared her anger about public transport etiquette. 

And it is exactly this attention to detail that makes the show so refreshing. Broderick doesn’t just rhyme like a professional, he remembers each person’s name until the end of the show, weaving them back into songs when you least expect it.

That said, the show isn't without fault. The structure can be hard to follow and certain devices used to incorporate the audience don’t quite hit the mark, but Abandoman has managed to come up with an innovative show that delivers each line with unparalleled skill.