Abandoman: Hot Desk

• Suzanne Black
• 11 August 2014

This article is from 2014.

Thoroughly entertaining and impressive hip hop improv show at Edinburgh Fringe

It seems that P Diddy has so little to do with his time that he has captured hip hop improvisers Rob Broderick and his band and set them the task of writing him a new album brimming with hits. Whether Diddy knows about this plan is beside the point. Using this far-fetched conceit is merely an excuse to get Abandoman and a whole bunch of their legion fans in the same room and make up some silly rap songs.

Using suggestions from the audience to fuel their improvised lyrics, Irishman Broderick and his extremely talented musicians perform songs in the style of Nicki Minaj, Snoop Dogg and Eminem. There’s no denying their talent (or their talent at making each verse seem spontaneous) and the concept is dressed up enough to bowl over even the most reticent of audience members. Broderick even throws in a little conventional comedy with an anecdote involving a priest and no mention of paedophilia. Even more along those lines would be welcome.

Abandoman are a one-trick pony but that pony happens to be a thoroughbred, more impressive than funny, and Broderick imbues the whole affair with enough showmanship to play it up into a thoroughly entertaining show.

Underbelly, Bristo Square, 0844 545 8252, until 25 Aug (not 11, 18), 9.10pm, £14--£15 (£13.50--£14.50).