By Alicia Roache, Staff ReporterTHE SECOND stop of the Red Stripe Lite/ Backyaad Comedy Crackup tour in May Pen, Clarendon, may have been short on patrons but it certainly wasn't short on laughs.
The grounds of the Versailles Hotel played host to the inaugural tour on Saturday evening. Judging by the chair to person ratio, it was obvious that far more persons were expected to turn out. But those that did, proved to be a lively and receptive audience.
Dance Expressions opened the show with a dance inspired by DJ Assassin's Do it if Yuh Bad before the first comedian, 'Slim' from London, England, graced the stage. In the tradition of many comedians who speak about their communities, Slim presented humorous snapshots of his life in England.
MULTIRACIAL
Slim's 'day job' as a bus driver was fodder for his presentation, as were the black/white paradigm so often utilised by comedians from multiracial societies. He spoke about how he managed to get back at unruly passengers, especially during the summer when the days are hot. Slim said during summer he would turn up the heat in the bus, "just to watch people sweat."
The presentation was short, but was thoroughly enjoyed by the patrons.
Slim's laid back presentation was offset by the lively vivacious routine of 'Dawn B' from the United States Of America. Dawn B's presentation was based on personal experiences, such as 'the things she hates', sex and pick-up lines. At other times she was spontaneous, using members of the audience who were willing participants in her jokes.
Kenny Williams from Def Comedy Jam fame and BET's Comic View brought his own brand of comedy with an interesting mix of storytelling and acting that delighted the audience.
Williams, like Dawn B, began his routine with an observation of the crowd size. "This could have easily been a poetry show," he said before segueing into a discussion of how Def Poetry Jam seems to attract the angriest comedians.
LESS POLITICAL
His observation of the way male female courtship seems to have changed over the years was no less political. "These women they sleep with you and they don't call you back," he said. "When did this gangsta s... start?"
He ended with a hilarious story about a former girlfriend who sleeps with her eyes open.
After a brief intermission which saw a presentation from Dance Expressions, it was time for Portmore's Zinc Fence comedian, Pretty Boy Floyd. He brought a bit of Jamaican life to the stage.
After doing a dance number to Lady Saw's Man is the Least, Pretty Boy Floyd went into a vivid and honest portrayal of life from the ghetto.
This portrayal was highlighted by the differences between 'ghetto girls' and 'uptown girls'. During his presentation he also threw out a challenge to fellow comedians Christopher 'Johnny' Daley and Donald 'Iceman' Anderson, whom, he said, had earlier criticised the width of his pants.
"You and your landlord mussi inna problem and yuh a look somewhe fi live", he said in defense of his close fitting black jeans. Johnny and Iceman would respond later.
