I often wondered if on a multi-date comedy tour if it was always the same show that was delivered night after night, or if there were changes in the content, but having no real idea as it is very rare to see more than one show on any tour. However we did see both Aussie opener Steve Hughes and headliner Reginald D Hunter way back in October at Edinburgh’s intimate Stand Comedy Club and in truth the show we saw along with in the region of 1000 others at the vast Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline was very different in some respects, but what was constant was the professionalism of the performers and their ability to deliver a set of top notch quality comedy for 2 hours 30.

Antipodean sometime heavy rock musician Steve Hughes hit the stage promptly at eight and the gig was up and running. I said back in October that he is too good to be an opener, even for a major player like Hunter, and his performance in Dunfermline did nothing to change my mind. I don’t think that many of the crowd were aware of him before the show started, but they certainly were at the end. Hughes is by no means a light and fluffy conic, far from that, he is quite political and verbose in his delivery, however most of which he opines on seemed to strike genuine thought in the audience, and when you can get the message across yet get folk laughing at the same time then it is certainly a job well done. There were too many highlights in his hour to pick favourites for me, but I have to admit to a sneaky admiration for his take on Health and Safety. I had seen this back in October, but the hilarity and impact is still there as the reaction to it last night will attest.

If you get a chance check out Steve Hughes, he certainly an act worth catching.

Following an interval to recharge glasses and stretch the legs, the lights dimmed and the large Alhambra stage was filled with the presence of headliner Reginald D Hunter. He is a big in stature, but his an absolute colossus in presence and ability. Those who have only witnessed him on TV in such shows such as Have I got News for You, QI and the like will already know that he is a very intelligent performer, but Reggie on the box and Reggie live are two completely different performers.

What is the same is the honey rich deep Georgian delivery style, the well crafted material, but the content well I don’t suppose Aunty Beeb would let it be delivered in it’s live format.

Reg seemed to gather the crowd in the palms of his hands, hands which absolutely fascinate Sheila, don’t ask me why, and keep them there for the ninety minutes of his set. His ‘Deep South’ accent, which he claims he doesn’t have (!) means that one really has to listen to what he is saying, but in doing so nothing washes over and the full impact of his material is garnered.

Hunter is a non-threatening comedian, he barely goes to his audience and when he does occasionally, it’s more like talking to a friend. So it’s not a hardship to sit front and centre as it could be with some of his peers.

This outstanding comic has lived in the UK for 12 years now with occasional sojourns back to the States, and we have been fortunate to see his development over a number of these years, I hope this is a tendency that we can continue for many more. This guy is class with a capital C.

So has the tour changed since October? Well I suppose it has in respect to a lot of the content. A little remains the same, but there is a whole raft of new to us stuff as well so if you get a chance go see for your selves. His tour dates are available at www.reginalddhunter.co.uk and the word is he will be performing at Edinburgh Fringe through out August as well, and for what’s on at Alhambra Dunfermline checkout their site www.alhambradunfermline.com