CALLING Port Elizabeth home truly shows in comedian Barry Hilton’s latest show in the city, Fresh Catch.
Dressed in his trademark blue button-up shirt and white trousers, Hilton strode on to the stage as though he were in his comfort zone – and he was.
Introduced by stand-up comic Michael “The Fly” Arthur, “The Cousin” wasted no time in getting topical.
“Everyone overseas makes a fuss about (president Jacob) Zuma’s thee wives, but I’ve had three too, and I’m white,” he said, referring to his third marriage, to Bay lass Sandy in 2008.
And therein lies the gem of the show – Hilton’s candid humour.
Making no joke about the fact he has been thrice wed, he also spoke about his nerves as a 54-year-old father with a new baby on the way, some 17 years after his previous (and fifth) child.
Hilton’s repertoire surpasses that of many of his peers, having made it on stage – his career spans 27 years – as well as TV, for his humorous Savanna adverts, and recently on the silver screen in the well received film, Finding Lenny.
But the stage is where he is most relaxed, which shows in his engagement with the audience.
Those in the front seats were definitely brave, or otherwise naive, in their positioning.
There are no holy cows and every race, creed and culture is in for a revving.
It is refreshing to find Hilton doesn’t tip-toe around racial topics, mentioning a conversation with a friend over crime.
“She said to me: ‘Did you know that 85% of the crime in this country is committed by blacks?’ To which I replied: ‘Did you know that 85% of the people in this country are black?’”
And from there the walls of prejudice came tumbling down amid roaring laughter from the audience.
From Tiger Woods to Joost van der Westhuizen’s extra-marital romp – “Only Joost would say ‘It wasn’t me. I have a smaller totty than the man in the video.’” – to the upcoming Soccer World Cup and the impending invasion by British hooligans (fans).
Even his son, Robin, was in the firing line with his recently acquired obsession with gym.
While the show was well-received, there were some technical issues with the microphone which saw some of his jokes missed by the audience, while his sound effects were jarringly loud.
And while it is billed as new, some of the content was not. But that should not matter to The Cousin fans or those new to the show.
Another benefit of Hilton’s shows is that he is not crass. Naughty, perhaps. But not crude or vulgar, which more conservative audience members and those with children will appreciate.
Just be warned: if you plan to sit in the front row, be ready for a one-on-one with Hilton.
THE HERALD - 2010/03/12. BARRY HILTON: FRESH CATCH (Boardwalk Amphi- theatre until March 13). Reviewed by Brian Hayward
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