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Professional Breakup Artist

 
Sascha Cooper Review by Sascha Cooper 4 Published: 18 Feb 2020 The Brunswick Free House Show Dates: 16 Feb 2020-16 Feb 2020

Annabelszki brought an uplifting and insightful fusion of storytelling, comedy and poetry to her show Professional Breakup Artist to highlight the various stages of love, dating and breakups in life. To add an extra dimension to her show, she not only spoke from her own experience as a lesbian, but also included various video interviews from other women, providing different perspectives to offset her own poetical and often lyrical point of view.

a masterclass in observational comedy and poetry

The performance was well thought out and sensitively handled. Annabelszki's positive and cheeky attitude was complemented by subtle innuendo and honest accounts of someone who has grown as a person, as well as a lover. Her acerbic wit shone through her satirical poetry and interaction with the audience (especially when dealing with one heckler, whom she handled with integrity and positivity). Sometimes there were aspects of audience interaction that seemed to not work as well, due to one or two over-explanatory sections that may have held up the otherwise smooth running of Professional Breakup Artist.

Having said that, despite one or two technical issues, this did not affect the way she stayed focused on her own truth as she delivered an equal mix of hurt, happiness, self discovery and more. It was clear that she had learned from her experiences the hard way and was able to invite us into her world with no judgement, just a safe space to banter and transform what can be a complicated subject into a more accessible perspective. This in turn created invited reactions and suggestions that were full of empathy and compassion, which made the show unique and not the standard comedy or spoken word set of general quick turnarounds of quips to initiate laughter.

Annabelszki steadily built up the pace and maintained everyone’s attention without rushing. Particular highlights included a cathartic use of ripping up an ex's photograph, an unusual way of using a clothes rail and a stool, plus a poem that included the memorable line “catch up time”. These particular moments highlighted certain levels in breakups which enable you to see things differently than if you were emotionally caught up in the moment yourself. Also, her vibrant energy as she delivered each line left a positive impression as the journey into love and breakups continued.

Professional Breakup Artist is a delightful and insightful piece that will challenge your perceptions of love and dating, plus give a masterclass in observational comedy and poetry.

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The Blurb:

Annabelszki invites the broken-hearted of Brighton and Hove in for a consultation: The Professional Breakup Artist will see you now!

Share one womans journey through the highs, lows and downright hilarity of the eternal scramble to seek, find and, inevitably, lose the woman of your dreams.

An authentic narrative exploring the contemporary minefield of lesbian love, lust, dating and breakups. Annabelszki delivers an energetic and comedic poetic voyage on the ups and downs of relationships.

Expect audience interaction, a multitude of sexual references, video advice, musical interludes and a unique use of props.