In her titular show, Abigail Paul: Involuntary Momslaughter, comic Abigail Paul ventures into a comedic realm few dare to tread: laughing at the dead. Grief, particularly that of a mother’s passing, is no laughing matter – but Paul doesn’t merely encourage laughter, she revels in it, inviting her audience to join her in finding humour.
With a premise so daring, it would take nothing short of sheer talent and charisma to pull it off, and Paul delivers in spades. Jokes that would otherwise leave an audience in awkward silence fall easily from her mouth, evoking laughter after every line. Her energy is reminiscent of Kathryn Hahn, using her vibrant personality to breeze through taboo topics of childhood abuse, mental illness, and generational trauma.
Paul lights up the stage as she unabashedly shares tales from her life. This energy, combined with her frank honesty, allows her to touch on topics both grave and joyous with equal finesse.
The narrative of Abigail Paul: Involuntary Momslaughter dances through the decades, offering snippets of Abigail’s life, each intertwined with laughter and raw emotion. Despite having a lot to cover, the pacing is well-balanced. The show breezes through its hour-long duration, and when the curtains descend, there’s still room in the audience for just one more story, one more joke.
The genius of this set lies not just in the humour but in the underlying message of resilience and knowing your worth, even in the face of a world that’s telling you the opposite. Abigail Paul is a joy to watch as she masterfully blurs the line between comedy and catharsis.
Abigail Paul: Involuntary Momslaughter stands out as a testament to the transformative power of comedy. It’s a show that defies convention, challenges comfort zones, and ultimately reminds us that it’s okay—even necessary—to laugh amidst tears. Abigail Paul’s unapologetic, infectious spirit guarantees that this is one comedy set not to miss.
