Ava Vidal (14/02/09) – Unedited
Posted by jameskettle on February 14, 2009
It’s said that one reason why male performers dominate the stand-up
scene in terms of sheer weight of numbers is that women find the
typical beer-fuelled, lairy atmosphere of comedy clubs a little
intimdating. But with Ava Vidal, the intimidation comes directly from
the stage in gloriously lacerating waves. Vidal’s had to cope with her
fair share of stigmas growing up, but onstage she discusses her
experience of racism and her status as a schoolgirl single mother with
massive poise and a fiercely intelligent wit. She never plays up to
the prejudices of her audience, but instead pounds out her own
unapologetic but highly appealing worldview. Anyone who gets in her
way – teachers, exes, the fool who once attempted to involve her in a
conversation about golliwogs – is torn apart with cold-eyed contempt.
The sustained brilliance of the writing and the unflinching,
down-to-earth brutality of Vidal’s shtick make for a compelling and
hugely fresh set.
