Reginald Hunter shows no hesitation when engaging with difficult subjects. Politics, war, ageing, and the death of his 102-year-old father. The approach he takes to his comedy is very measured; his deep voice (reminiscent of Morgan Freeman) gives his jokes a deliberate quality. His wide eye expressions add another layer, particularly when he throws a joke into the crowd like a political grenade and gazes at the audience and lets the moment hang, waiting for the first person to crack.
The best of Hunters material is his outsider perspective on Britain, including his fascination with cheddar cheese, which becomes an unexpectedly funny observation of British life. His direction turns to Americans being perceived by the British, before talking about his recent criticism he has been receiving in the media for speaking about Israel and the war in the middle east.
The show struggles to find a consistent rhythm, the flow is noticeably stop-start, and sections feel more like observations rather than parts of a cohesive narrative. Although once Hunter finds his groove, the comedy lands. It is an uneven but enjoyable hour, most likely to resonate most strongly with a more mature audience, who may relate to his reflections on politics, ageing and the changing world.
Reginald D Hunter: Something Wicked That Other Way Comes, 20:15 at Ballroom at Assembly Rooms, at 8pm from August 6-9th – 11-16th – 18-23rd – 25-30th
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/reginald-d-hunter-something-wicked-that-other-way-comes
