Reginald D Hunter : White Woman
Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Group: Reginald D Hunter

Ravi Bali

This showing was on the back of the controversy generated from a Perrier Comedy Award judge condemning this show as racist and sexist, without having seen it. Reg Hunter is a large black American who has lived in Britain for a few years. He is an engaging and conversational stand-up who gives anecdotes related to what it was like to be a black man coming to a new more tolerant culture with the emotional baggage he carried from the racist deep South.

The politics that inform his outlook are based on a notion of racism as formed by stereotypical preconceptions. This is not one that can give an adequate account of racism as a social force but instead reduces it to a matter of individual prejudice. This however does not detract from his many personal observations that ring true and most importantly he is very, very funny.

The interaction with his audience is self assured even as this time when a white woman called Caroline whom he picks from the audience very cannily avoids being set up to demonstrate that we all have prejudices. She is asked to pick between Reg and a white teenager in a rugby shirt wearing his cap backwards as to who is more likely to fit a set of descriptions if she hadn't met either of them before.

RDH "Which of us do you think is likely to be the father to a number of children he takes no responsibility for?"
Caroline (pauses) "well I'd say it was you"
RDH "and why is that?"
Reg shrugs at not getting the expected response, and tries again
RDH "if you were told one of us had natural rhythm who would you say that is more likely to be?"
Caroline: (pauses) "that would be you again"
RDH "why do you say that?"
Caroline "well just look at the hat he wears and his clothes"
RDH "what, at least he is wearing it backward. OK lets try this who would you point to if told that one of us had beaten a woman?"
Caroline clearly uncomfortable now says "now that's just a stupid question how could I know?"
RDH "Girl you can't be coming here - to my show, and telling me that my question is stupid, just who do you think you are?". (turns away rolls his eyes and huffs) "White women!".

Reporting this interaction won't spoil going to see him. There are some hilarious moments in his storytelling, these comical touches are punctuated with some dark honest revelations which draws you to empathise more with him. This allows you to see life's absurdities through his eyes and laugh with him.

A very fine comedian! Oh incidentally there is no perpetuation of racist or sexist stereotypes either, not that this would be a problem if done in a genuinely funny way.

2 August to 16 August.

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