Some People Vs Reginald D. Hunter

Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis

REGINALD D. Hunter is clearly delighted to be in Lyme – “it’s beautiful!”

He praises the volunteers and staff at the Marine Theatre and the town’s people for their warm, friendly and kind welcome of him – commenting on how happy everyone is, so much so he spotted a volunteer having a little dance in the theatre before the show.

This is the last preview show before his new tour – Some People Vs Reginald D. Hunter – travels around the UK. The 43 date show finishes in Edinburgh in August, but for those that didn’t catch him in Dorset, he will be playing over the border at Yeovil’s Octagon on June 17.

Previews are used to test out material, how to structure the show and which jokes work best where. He starts by explaining to the audience about his liberal use of ‘language’ during the gig. This is something I had been wondering about before the start as I looked across the sea of white hair – would this language use be age appropriate?

The roars of laughter, cheers and applause from the crowd was all the answer needed. The consensus in the line for the toilets during the break was that he managed to be charming, inclusive, funny and caring.

What followed was a hilarious, well examined and thought-provoking look at the human condition. The narrative was peppered with stories from his time living in the UK, (20 years next month and the ‘best decision’ he made as an adult,) his family and friends in Georgia, what superpower he would have, the dating game and the trials and tribulations, highs and lows, of filming a TV documentary in the Deep South.

In my humble opinion, some of the best comedy uses its power to show up issues or prejudices in society – sometimes ones that an audience may not be aware it had – treading the line between thought-provoking and hilarity ensuing. This was shown perfectly by the final joke of the night incorporating a potential way out of the European debt crisis. (*I’m paraphrasing.)

Reginald. D. Hunter is likeable, warm and humble and thanked the volunteers and the audience, asking if it would be possible to return to Lyme later in the year with the ‘finished product.’ So, watch this space and don’t miss the opportunity to book a ticket.

CATHERINE BOLADO