Leicester Square Theatre – until Saturday 6th April 2024
Reviewed by Fiona Leyman
5*****
American Comedian, Reginald D Hunter has been working the comedy circuit in the UK for over 21 years. Travelling to the UK in 1997, he agreed to a dare, to perform his first comedy set, and has now become one of the UK’s most popular comedians. Hailed “Stand-Up’s Coolest Customer”, Hunter is a fan favourite on stage, but he also has had regular appearances on hit tv shows such as Have I Got News For You, 8 out of 10 Cats and the coveted Live at the Apollo. As many know, appearing on stage at Live at the Apollo is dream most comedians have, but not all can achieve.
His newest UK Tour, The Man Who Could See Through Shit has been touring since October 2023. Hunter himself has admitted this show is a “work in progress” so he can prepare himself for The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which he will be appearing at again this August. His own mother is the inspiration for the title of the show, with her saying “It is easy to see through shit. The hard part is pretending you haven’t”. Hating to admit, Hunter confirms there nothing further from the truth.
A Gifted story teller, Hunter is able to keep audiences engaged, with sides splitting at every punchline. Comedians like Hunter are not “jokey joke” comedians like his “Sperm” (his 21-year-old daughter) wanted him to be. Instead, he will take you through a journey of past stories which end in very amusing punchlines. He does not require the instant roar of laughter throughout the set, instead his stories could be 1-2 minutes long, then the punchline hits and the audience erupt with laughter and can be heard throughout the theatre.
However, not all were laughing. Hunter can be controversial at times, and could offend with the language he uses, but in this day and age, comedians are here to shock, to say the things we all think, but are too scared to say. With the world the way it is right now, there was no doubt that certain subjects would be hot topic in a comedic set. Israel, The Royal Family, Politics, Religion are just some of the subjects covered. Some found these subjects offensive, but it makes you wonder why people choose to see a comedian if they are easily offended right? Personally, we laughed throughout his set, especially visualising Queen Camilla as a “Ghetto Girl” because I understand these are jokes, and not a personal dig.
A huge highlight of the night was warm-up act Irish Comedian Al Porter. A polar opposite to Hunter comedic style, Porter stories were absolutely hilarious throughout the entire set. Porter’s style of comedy is short, snappy stories with punchlines coming one after the other. Loveably camp, and most jokes about his early life in Ireland or very extensive love life, we both had tears rolling down our faces. He was a very pleasant surprise for the evening because warm up acts can be hit or miss.
All in all, there was a mixed response to Hunter but, knowing what type of comedian he was before I set foot in the theatre, his language, his stories did not offend or have me cringing in my seat. Comedians do what they do to make people laugh and Hunter is a gifted comedian and manages this every time.