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From Dave's One Night Stand

More Reginald D Hunter videos

Georgia-born Hunter first made his mark on the UK circuit in 1998, when he was a finalist in So You Think You're Funny. He has been appearing in his own acclaimed one-man shows at the Edinburgh Fringe since 2002, when I Said What I Said was nominated for the best newcomer Perrier. He was nominated for the main prize in 2003 for White Woman and 2005 for A Mystery Wrapped In A Nigga. He was also nominated for best headliner in the Chortle Awards in 2004 and 2007.

Reginald D Hunter: The Only Apple In The Garden Of Eden And Niggas - Fringe 2009
Live Review

Reginald D Hunter ends his show with an apology. ‘I’ve been working though some stuff up here,’ he says. ‘And you might have heard some of this before.’ But for those who might want to criticise, he recalls some words of wisdom: ‘Fuck them niggas.’

He did, at least, perform the full hour, despite reports of shows earlier in the run coming in at 45 minutes of less. Such stories of being ill-prepared and under-running do have a habit of following him around – and no surprise if he’s happy to workshop in front of 400 people who have paid up to £15 in expectation of his A-game.

It’s so frustrating because he can be untouchably brilliant, and there are plenty of glimpses of that here, when he uses his authoritative Georgia drawl to lure us into certain ways of thinking, only to undercut it with a silly joke. But equally he’ll use that seductive lilt to paper over some cracks in the material and hope we don’t notice.

Of course, he flirts with controversy again. If you couldn’t tell from his show titles, he loves the sound of the word nigga – and gets a thrill out of saying it repeatedly in front of an audience. But his playful use of language is put to better use when he makes up French words just to sound swanky.

For all his reputation as a great social commentator – especially in the field of sexual politics – Hunter is, essentially, a mischief-maker. You suspect some of the provocative and supposedly weighty things he says are just as impish and unsubstantiated as his idea of going an entire week pretending never to have heard of Jesus.

Among newer ideas such as his obligatory take on Obama’s election, inappropriate stories to tell your in-laws and his own use of language, sits old material about being fined for urinating in the street in Amsterdam, adverts warning about the true cost of getting an illegal minicab, and the funeral arrangements for his mother.

He has all the ingredients for a great show – challenging opinions, a devilish sense of fun and that mesmerising delivery – but just not in the quantities, nor always with enough freshness, for the five-star show he surely has within him.

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Saw Reg last night in Kings Lynn some of his stuff is not meant to be funny it's meant to make you think. It's interesting that he feels the need to bring race into his act so much, but I feel that is a comment on his USA mindset. All in all I had a very good time and would recommend seeing him to anyone who likes to think about their comedy. If you want belly laughs, slapstick or standard joke telling then he is not for you

David, February 2012

I saw Reggie at St Georges Hall, Bradford on Saturday 8th October. nlike the main reviewer, we got a shorter 60 minute set – one that left me feeling short changed, & short on laughs. Certain threads were amusing but ended almost mid stream – thinking that they would all be brought together for a clever finale… but no, they just ended. His parting comment ('I think I have fulfilled my contractual obligations') would have been funny after a good strong performance, but after his offering felt a bit like two fingers being stuck up as he promptly vacated the stage, to polite applause.

Darren, October 2011

Saw him perform last night. He spends a lot of time talking about race related issues. Entertaining, yes, but not really funny. Light-weight. His sidekick Steve is better. Overall, my partner and I were rather disappointed; not worth the money in our opinion.

Frank, November 2010

Just been reading back some of the older comments. I wonder how 'nino' has been getting on with watching stand-up since 2008. Anyone who can make a comment as daft as 'Jokes about rape and paedophilla are really not funny nor intelligent' has hopefully found something else for his entertainment. To suggest topics are off limits because they might be contentious indicates 'nino' doesn't recognise that it takes an intelligent mind to structure jokes on tough subjects. If it's safe gags you want, Nino, try Tim Vine!

Sue - Whitstable, August 2010

Just seen Reg performing his new tour in King's Lynn. He was absolutely spot-on from beginning to end, genuine stand-up comedian, no gags, all quality material. I was totally blown away, and not at all disappointed. Well worth the ticket price. He is topical yet philosophical, charismatic and even touching at times, but all made for a wonderful night with many laughs. I will definitely go to see him again.

Emma, June 2010

Saw Reg last night, very clever and funny. Got through the annoying women giggling very well and picked the momentum up quickly. Thoroughly enjoyed myself

Kate, May 2010

Went to see Reggie in Reading Concert hall on 7 May 2010 expecting comedy. Reggie informed us at the start that this was not TV but was his stand-up act which he considers to be art. OK. He then proceeded to tell anecdotes in a lecturing style with the odd bit of humour in there with not many laughs. Anecdotes followed often skirting controversial subjects eg rape, to try and prove a point which may have been meant to ironically funny. Sometimes clever, sometimes student bore, generally not funny. Reg, this was neither art nor comedy. It was a lecture and the kind of lecture you hear in any student common room. This is not what I expected or wanted. Can I have my money back?

Dave Rotweiler, May 2010

Reg - where were you? We booked to see you at Ashby de la Zouch Lyric rooms but you didnt turn up!

Rosie, October 2009

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