If you’ve been a fan of stand-up comedy in the past 20 or so years, or even seen the odd panel show here and there during that time, the name Reginald D Hunter will no doubt mean something to you.
Born in Georgia but made here in the UK — and we don’t think it’s any stretch of the imagination to say that — Reginald Darnell Hunter (about as formal as this is going to get) is pretty much comedy royalty at this point, not only making Britain his home more than 20 years ago but becoming a household name.
Appearing on countless TV shows over the years and sitting as one of the most highly-revered and decorated comics on the circuit to this day, Reg is now back out on tour for the first time in two years since his return after Covid and, naturally, he’s coming to Manchester.
Ahead of his double-header at the HOME theatre, cinema and arts space on First Street this month, we had the opportunity to chat with the comedy veteran about all things funny and serious, which kind of encapsulates his upcoming show by the sounds of it. There’s some of his usual scything social commentary and there’s some of this:
So you’re heading back out on a UK and Ireland tour, you’re adopted home. You’ve been here for a long time now but how excited are you to be back out on touron this sort of scale?
Very. I think my last one was a year or two ago, my first major one back after the lockdown, and I’m very pleased to be back. It’s always more fun to do stand-up when you know you got something in your pocket.
I mean, the title alone grabbed our attention: ‘The Man Who Could See Through Shit’. Can you tell us a little bit more about the concept?
Yeah, well, my mother [Lucille] used to say “It’s easy to see through shit, the hard part is pretending that you haven’t”, and I tie that in with being 54; the older you get, the harder it is not to see through shit.
Yeah, I’ve seen you say before that nothing still gets you more excited than knowing that you’ve got good material ready to go, so what’s the idea around this current stuff — is different to previous stuff or more of a continuation?
Man, I tell you what, it’s a big difference between standing there and dealing with people and you know, you ain’t got none, rather than knowing you’ve got something good in your pocket, so yeah, I’m not going to have to rope-a-dope much this year — I’ve got plenty of bombs as I call them.
Nice. So when you say ‘seeing through sh**’, do you mean like everyday BS or bigger picture, socio-political stuff?
All of the above. I found that in the last two or three weeks, it’s getting harder and harder to not talk about Israel but obviously, the first goal is to be humorous and when you do rant you want to be in control of it and make it a good one.
I feel like I might be ranting more in this show and, you know, a good rant is supposed to be authentically angry but also coherent and hilarious, so we’ll see what happens.
So we can expect some big, passionate monologues then maybe?
You know what, you can expect what you like but all I’ll tell you is it’s gonna be funny and I’m going to put some people under pressure and I know that some people are going to get upset.
The thing is, the stuff that they’re going to get upset about is maybe not what they or even I think they’re going to get upset about — It never is. All you have to do is just be honest.
We [comedians] call it ‘HHV’: head, heart and balls, and if you use your head, heart and balls when you’re talking, you know, you gonna rub somebody wrong.
You’ve lived and worked here for over two decades now, smashed the Edinburgh Festival, won two Perrier awards and become comedy royalty around over here — what is it that you think sets British crowds apart from American ones?
Attention span [he laughs]. Brits have not been as detrimentally affected by commercials as Americans and then if you add to the TikTok generation on top of that, people need you to kind of get to it and the punchline quicker.
Credit: Reginald D Hunter (via Instagram)
I remember you once said, “America and Britain have both lost their minds”; is that something that you still believe and what do you think is the main difference between our respective madnesses?
I can’t remember where I said that but it does sound like something I would have said, but I often tell British people to think of America as your baby brother with a loaded gun.
What about like culturally and socially — have you ever found, say, just being sat around the pub with Brits compared to how you would with Americans as a source of comedy?
You know, years ago a buddy of mine from Georgia came over and toured around with me and one night I invited him over to meet some friend of mine for a smoke and he said, “No, I don’t smoke with you and them British people no more.”
I asked why and he said, “Back home we smoke to laugh, get sleepy and get high. You and them British people smoke and y’all want to talk about the EU and Israel and art — I don’t know how to do that.”
So yeah, I like being in Britain because there’s a natural appreciation for complexity. Americans tend to always want to simplify things and when you always want to simplify things, then you’ll shy away from complexity. I feel like I can be a bit more detailed in my work over here.
I almost feel like over here my setups are just as important as the punchline over here.
Since we’re talking about how different audiences take different material, how would you describe your style at the moment and do you feel like it’s changed at all?
I don’t really know. I will never have the experience of watching myself live, obviously, but I know the jokes are fun to tell at the moment.
Sometimes when you’re doing the show, you know, you have your favourite jokes and you might be two jokes away from one of them, but so far I’d say the show at this point is about 78% ready and I think all of the jabs here are serious jabs at the moment.
I mean, even if people haven’t seen your live acts before, you’ve been on countless panel shows down the years, is that something you enjoyed and did you have one you preferred?
I will say it’s about panel shows, sometimes people will come because they see [my stand-up] because of the panel shows but the thing is when you sit at somebody else’s table, then you act a certain way, but when it’s your table, you be whatever way you like. It’s all television and none of them were my show.
Fair enough. So you’re coming to Manchester with two dates at the HOME Theatre. Is it a venue you’re familiar with and do you have any standout comedy memories from here in the past?
Yeah, this will be the first one here in a while that we aren’t going to The Lowry, but I’ve been to so many venues and, honestly, it’s often only after I turn up that I go, ‘Oh, yeah, I know how to do this place.’
I did request that of my promotion team after the last tour where I was playing some really big, cavernous places. I’m real particular about sound and if I don’t sound good to myself, something in me just thinks says, ‘Hey, let’s just go home.’
When the sound is good and it’s intimate, I like to be able to use all the tools at my disposal; my facial expressions, noises and other more slight things, so yeah I feel in more intimate venues it plays more to my advantage.
Reg has played multiple venues around ManchesterHOME Theatre 1
But yeah, the Comedy Store is great and The Lowry is a great theatre: it’s like a big room but when you’re talking the feel and the sound is like you’re taking a warm bath in the sunshine. I’ve also found that a lot of your music venues have really great sound too — often better than theatres do.
Have you picked out any differences from Manchester to Leeds or Sheffield, for example?
No, but what I have picked out is that I get asked that kind of question all the time over here. It’s always a version of ‘What do you think about this regional sense of humour?’ and the same when you go to Wales and Scotland and Ireland.
I don’t notice Americans doing that as much, so I’ve come to relate that to a sort of cultural self-esteem, you know? Like someone was asking, ‘You think we’re cute? Do you think we’re funny?’ and it’s even more so over in Australia. It’s almost as if Australia wants to be Britain.
I remember I did the Sydney Comedy Festival and I joked that in Australia “you have all the weather and the fashion of Britain but none of the literature.”
I guess a lot of people in their regions want to be seen as something vital and necessary but I find a lot of the differences that people up North feel compared to another village 15 miles away can be utterly ridiculous.
Fair enough, what about sort of, um, maybe the political differences across the UK, is that something you still like to touch on in your comedy?
I’ve found this time around that with places I go I’m more interested in that country’s politics than I used to be when I passed through.
I did two gigs back to back where I went from Northern Ireland down to the Republic of Ireland and I said, “It’s great to be back in Ireland!”. Safe to say they got upset about that. I’m very sorry, I didn’t realize that I was no longer in ‘original recipe’ Ireland.
It can sometimes kind of be the same in America. In the South, a lot of rednecks are just racists who are still pissed off about the Civil Way: they’re not going to let that go ever — I mean, there are even people in the South who still get mad when you mention Abraham Lincoln.
But in the US with regional attitudes, they sometimes say ‘There’s New York and LA and everything else in between’. There are still some biases and regional differences but I find that most people and most groups who believe or act like they’re superior, when you get to know them, they have no reason to be.
Brilliant stuff. And last but not least, do you have a favourite joke you’ve heard at the moment?
The joke is: one day, a dog walks into a bar, and he says to the bartender, ‘Give me a martini with an onion, not an olive.’ The bartender says, ‘Oh, a talking dog — maybe we should get you in touch with the circus, and the dog says, ‘Why? They need an electrician.’
As always with good comedy, it was about the delivery, but it felt only fitting that we ended a very lengthy chat with a very intelligent and incisive comic with such an innocent and absurd joke out of left field that we very nearly spat our water all over the screen mid-Zoom call.
Reg’s latest has already been hailed “stand-up coolest customer” by The Telegraph following his new show, with The Times dubbing ‘The Man Who Could See Through Shit‘ as “comedy of a rare score” and from the few breadcrumbs he gave us in our chat, it’s safe to say he’s piqued our interest.
If you fancy catching Reginald D Hunter here in Manchester, he’s playing at the HOME Theatre on Sunday and Monday, 12-13 November. You can grab your tickets HERE.
We can assure you he’ll deliver a thought-provoking set to remember.
Featured Images — Reginald D Hunter (via Instagram)/ HOME MCR
TV & Showbiz
Police issue response and update after ‘shocking’ BBC documentary on The Moors Murders airs
Emily Sergeant
A response and update has been issued by the police after a new documentary on The Moors Murders aired on the BBC this week.
The Moors Murders: A Search for Justice is a two-part documentary series that takes a look back at what is, undoubtedly, one of the most heinous crimes in British history more than 60 years after it happened in the hopes of discovering new evidence and finding answers to the questions that are still left open.
The show aims to document the six decades of suffering that the victims’ families endured in the case that shook the nation.
A synopsis for the two-part documentary series on the BBC website reads: “The Moors murderers, Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, were sentenced to life in 1966 for killing three children. In fact, they had killed five children, and 12-year-old Keith Bennett has never been found.
Moors Murders victim Keith Bennett / Credit: GMP
“But now a team, including author and film-maker Duncan Staff, former murder detective Martin Slevin and forensic archaeologist Professor John Hunter, has examined past investigations, rediscovered files and delved into Ian Brady’s archive.
“They reveal possible grave sites, uncover critical material and perhaps help to solve a case that’s remained open for nearly 60 years.”
The first episode of the documentary aired on BBC Two on Wednesday night (30 July), and the next episode is due to hit TV screens next Wednesday 6 August at 9pm – with more ‘revelations’ and ‘newly uncovered evidence’ expected to be presented.
Public interest in the case has hardly been lost over the past six decades, but given the recent attention the documentary has brought, this has led Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to issuing a statement and update on their ongoing investigations, and assuring that the case is still very much open and and being looked into.
Myra Hindley and Ian Brady – the serial killers behind the Moors Murders, including Keith Bennett / Credit: GMP
“Greater Manchester Police’s investigation into Keith’s disappearance has remained open since 1964,” the statement begins.
“While visible searches have paused over time, with the most recent taking place in 2022, an investigation team within our Major Crime Review Unit, continues our work to find the answers Keith family deserves.”
GMP confirmed that most of the case’s investigative activity continues ‘outside of public view’, revealing that this is done in the hopes that further evidence relating to this case can be uncovered.
The Moors Murders: A Search for Justice is currently airing on the BBC / Credit: BBC
The update continues: “We are in regular contact with Keith’s family, who are central to any action we take. They are kept updated on the ongoing lines of enquiry – some of which, could be jeopardised by public disclosure, and no further comment on these matters will be given.”
Police say they remain ‘very interested’ in any information that could lead to the discovery of Keith.
“We will be seeking to obtain, review, and establish the relevance of all the information held by the documentary team,” GMP’s statement concludes.
The second part of The Moors Murders: A Search for Justice will air on BBC Two next Wednesday 6 August at 9pm.
Featured Image – GMP
TV & Showbiz
Kendal Calling 2025 festival guide – everything you need to know ahead of a milestone year
Danny Jones
The fields are beckoning us back once more as Kendal Calling returns for its 20th anniversary, and we’re to deliver all the important information to you yet again, from the stellar lineup, stage splits, site map and more.
It’s hard to believe the Lake District‘s leading live music event has been going for two whole decades now and, as cliché as it may sound, it really has gotten bigger and better each and every time.
Having been three years in a row ourselves, we can certainly vouch for the recent form.
In fact, their big birthday edition saw the beloved Northern favourite festival sell out – as it has done every 12 months since it began – in record time and now we can’t think of anything else other than singing our hearts out in Lowther Deer Park. Hence why we wrote this guide.
Kendal Calling guide 2025 – all the key info
Without further ado, here are all the important details you need to know ahead of Kendal Calling’s milestone anniversary festival. Let’s start with the bread and butter, shall we?
Kendal Calling 2025 lineup and stage splits
We announced the Kendal Calling’s 2025 lineup late last year, which is set to be headlined by Greater Manchester’s very own Courteeners and The Prodigy, with other big names packing out the main festival stage and beyond.
Other regional acts were looking forward to seeing include Leigh’s The Lottery Winners, Sheffield’s famous sons and daughters, Reverend and the Makers; Leeds legends, Kaiser Chiefs, as well as The Wombats and The K’s, just to name a few.
You can see the full stage splits via Clashfinder HERE.
A party 20 years in the making…🙌 RT + Like for your chance to win 4 x VIP upgrades, Emperors Field camping & a £100 bar tab!
Main Stage – Where all the action and big headliners are playing at the northernmost spot.
Parklands – The second largest stage, pretty much smack bang in the middle of the site; there’s also a brilliant Glow takeover by night.
Calling Out – Rounding out the trio of Kendal stages with even more big acts to the west.
Woodlands – Exactly what it sounds like: a cosy stage set within the Lost Eden forest.
Chai Wallahs – Another large tent towards the North East of the site, boasting a variety of genres.
The Soapbox – Just northwest of Parklands, it’s where most of the live comedy is taking place.
Tim Peaks Diner – Named after Salford icon Tim Burgess himself, this little hut is built for more pared-down sets.
Desert Island Disco – Where the electronic scene goes to shine and usher in the late-night fun.
Roots – Built to spotlight emerging talent from across the region, there are gems to be found here.
The Town Hall – The latest addition to the festival alongside the official Kendal Calling pub, which debuted last year.
Tim Peaks DinerThe Stagger Inn pubShit Indie Disco at Calling Out stageOnce you’ve made it into Kendal Calling 2025, feel free to consult this mini-guide/overview of the stages. (Credit: George Harrison/Jess Huxham/Supplied)
Kendal Calling 2025 map
Now, while Kendal Calling is just generally considered a Lake District festival, it’s technically located in the sloping valley that dips down into Lowther Deer Park.
The large, woodland-lined expanse is situated within the Cumbria town of Penrith; the park itself is roughly 3,000 acres but forms part of the much larger 75,000-acre Lowther Estate.
For context, the increasingly popular event now welcomes around 40,000 festival goers every year, with Kendal Calling having grown from a 900-capacity seed to a giant, forest-spanning attraction.
Not much has moved around since last time, so you can always check out our video tour from 2024, but you can find an up-to-date site map down below.
Here’s a quick guide on how to get into the Kendal Calling festival site and a map of stages, facilities, etc. (Credit: Supplied)
Travel info – how to get there, parking and more
If you’re wondering how to get to Kendal Calling, once again: the festival takes place at Lowther Deer Park in Hackthorpe near Penrith, Cumbria (no, it’s not quite Kendal)
For the sake of ease when it comes to popping the location into the SatNav, the postcode is CA10 2HT.
By car
Located roughly 25 minutes north of its namesake Kendal, you can drive up there via the M6 and south down the A6 from Penrith. You can easily download full directions on Google Maps.
Parking
The general car park is adjacent to the general campsites, but BE AWARE, the further away you park, the longer the walk up that hill – and it is a big one, we’re afraid.
Also, pre-warning, you must bring any alcohol purchased from outside the festival site up on the first trip up to your pitch. We found out the hard way…
Hoping to encourage people to carpool and ride share where possible, with Kendal remaining a dedicated and environmentally-conscious event (see their ‘Leave Nothing But Memories’ mission statement, for example), there is a charge for parking separate from festival admission.
Passes can be purchased online in advance for £24.50, or you can pay on the day for £40, but just like downloading/printing out your tickets prior to entry, we’d obviously advise you plan ahead and get them ready beforehand.
Emperors Field, Great Plains, Deer Lodge and Tangerine Fields all have their own respective car parks, which require specific parking passes as part of campsite upgrade packages. You can see all the options and secure your parking HERE.
The nearest train station to the festival site is Penrith (also known as Penrith North Lakes), which is just a 15-minute taxi journey from the site.
Alternatively, you can hop on the special shuttle bus service that runs from the station to the festival at various points over the weekend. Various services are available from Scotland, Birmingham, London, here in Manchester and across the North West – for example:
From Birmingham New Street to Penrith (2h31m) — trains every hour
From London Euston to Penrith (3 hours) — trains every 30 minutes
From Glasgow to Penrith (1h21m) — trains every hour
From Edinburgh to Penrith (1h30m) — trains every hour
From Lancaster to Penrith (34 mins) — regular service
From Manchester Piccadilly to Penrith (1h41m) – trains every 30 minutes, change at Preston
Shuttles will run to and from Penrith (North Lakes) Station to Kendal Calling from 10am-18:45pm on Thursday and 8:30am-19:15pm on Friday. They won’t resume again until early Monday, with the final service lasting from 8:30am-13:15pm.
The festival has a dedicated pick-up and drop-off point (PUDO) outside at Green Gate. Follow the road signage as you get closer to the site for directions to the PUDO, which is also where you’ll find the taxi rank alongside our coach drop-off spot – just a short 5-10 minute walk to the wristband exchange too.
By coach/mini-bus
Speaking of coaches, you can find ticket prices for official services from destinations like Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, and many more places across the UK HERE.
Now, it’s not all airborne pints and tunage, though there is plenty of that; one of the things that makes Kendal one of our favourite festivals not only in the North but the entire country is the wide range of entertainment, activities and spaces it offers beyond just bands and artists.
As well as child-friendly facilities like laid-back Picturehouse social cinema, the annual parade, a dedicated ‘Kids Calling’ zone for said little ones, and the chilled-out Green Room outdoor area, there’s live alternative theatre, silent disco and tonnes more.
For instance, Mancunian comedy veterans Jason Manford and Justin Moorhouse will both be performing their own stand-up sets, which should provide a nice sense of home even while you’re away in the fields. And that really is just the tip of the iceberg.
We here at The Manc will be there in person as part of our Audio North team as somewhat of a boots-on-the-ground representation of our Kendal Calling 2025 guide, so feel free to say hello if you happen to spot the logo bouncing around.
Not if we’re in the middle of the pit or dancing though – that’s private time and you daren’t interrupt one of us mid-groove.
And if any of you are first-timers facing some newbie jitters or simply wondering how good a time you’re about to have this weekend, we think our most recent review sums it up pretty well.
Danny Jones -
9th November 2023 
