The highly acclaimed US comedian, Reginald D Hunter, returns to UK theatres this month with a brand new tour entitled ‘Sometimes Even The Devil Tells The Truth’.
Reginald D Hunter
Hunter, is as well-known for his guest appearances on BBC’s ‘Have I Got News for You’ as he is for his stand-up routines. He will be playing 50 gigs across the UK during September, October and November.
Hunter, although born in the US, has lived in the UK since becoming a drama student at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) at the age of 27. His path to comedy came after he was dared to perform a stand-up routine by a fellow student. He enjoyed the experience so much he decided to make a career out of comedy and he hasn’t looked back since his first success in 2002 when he was nominated as Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Festival.
The comic had a troubled early life in Georgia in the US. His mother beat him repeatedly and he was arrested when 19 for shoplifting. Following his acquittal he was introduced to actor Leo McKern by his lawyer and this led to his interest in British culture and his eventual move to the UK.
Those that have seen Hunter perform will confirm that he has a keen interest in racial issues as well as the well-documented differences in life between the UK and the US, particularly in language. He can be razor-sharp with his observations on social and political issues. Equally he can raise the roof with a bit of simple, sexist mischief-making, especially when he lays on the Southern charm before delivering the cutting punchline.
Hunter has admitted in interviews that comedy is his religion and that his performances are often motivated by what has caught his imagination or annoyed him that day, whether it be politics, a news story or something more personal. He is often risqué – as shown by his frequent use of the word ‘nigger’ in an attempt to reclaim the word from its ‘gansta rap’ adoption. There’s no doubt, however, that Hunter has a keen intelligence that underlies his observational style and the Southern drawl that so enchants his fans, the female ones in particular.
The controversial nature of many of his tour titles (‘Trophy Nigga’ and the award-winning ‘Reginald D Hunter: Pride and Prejudice….. and Niggas’, for instance) have often shocked – the latter being banned from the London Underground. That may explain the less contentious title of ‘Sometimes Even The Devil Tells The Truth’ being used this time around. As the title suggests, Hunter will explore the effects that lies and truth-telling have in modern society.
It’s not new ground in any sense, comedians from Billy Connolly to Lee Evans have performed routines about the nature of truth in our contemporary lives but I would hazard a bet that Hunter will give these traditional comic themes a fresh twist in his own enigmatic way.
BritEvents.com have Reginald D Hunter tickets available this autumn at a number of UK venues, starting with the Grand Opera house in York on 26 September, so don’t miss out on one of the best comedians of today!
Watch Reginald D Hunter perform ‘Live At The Apollo’ here:-
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