Similar to theatre, comedy is in an intimate performance between performer and audience. Wit and comedic devices are the tools of seduction and the end goal is a connection forged in humour. The fearful is less so, the taboo acceptable and even the complicated simple.
Nothing To Hide was a presentation of Tinaye Wayne at his most honest, or you could say his bluntest, maybe even boldest. The phrase "long awaited" is one that's often misused by the media. Creating anticipation were none exists. Colouring an atmosphere of impatience where there is actually a vacuum. Yet for Tinaye Wayne's Nothing To Hide special the phrase rang true.
This is not for this particular show in itself, but for a show of this magnitude from the comedian.
Nothing To Hide was a presentation of Tinaye Wayne at his most honest, or you could say his bluntest, maybe even boldest. The phrase "long awaited" is one that's often misused by the media. Creating anticipation were none exists. Colouring an atmosphere of impatience where there is actually a vacuum. Yet for Tinaye Wayne's Nothing To Hide special the phrase rang true.
This is not for this particular show in itself, but for a show of this magnitude from the comedian.
Tinaye made his stand up debut in 2016 and since then he has traversed across the comedy scene, venturing into different mediums. So much so that many think that he is making a transition from acting to stand up comedy. This made this Reps Theatre performance one long in coming, yet worth the wait because the wealth of experience the comedian has gained along this journey was on show as Nothing To Hide made its debut.
Neville The Entertainer was host, and his comedy was as immaculate as the suits he changed at every interval, with a reminder that unlike Passion Java he didn't repeat suits.
Tomas Brickhill provided the night its rock laced musical interlude, Patricia overcame a few nerves to make her African parents proud with the crowd's applause, Chipenzi was masterful in making us laugh at the ridiculous and Probeatz was awe inspiring in how he used his mouth.
Tinaye was introduced by Comrade Fatso, and immediately had words for his own introduction. Fatso had given him the difficult task of coming after a white man, and to quote him "If you don’t think that's difficult just ask black farmers." This set the tone for what would come, an hour of ribaldry laughter with no sacred cows, even Tinaye's own clan.
Zimbabwe's oligarchs, Jah Prayzah, and the country's political minefield were navigated with an intelligent touch, with no one being off limits. Tinaye was God's advisor during Judgement Day, he was an unlucky actor still in character outside state house and he was a teenager kissing a boy once. A myriad of moments within his life or imagination, that constantly drew laughter.
There was a raw edge to the material, a relatability that would connect to any Zimbabwean, and a whimsical nature to the delivery that hit the funny bone. It didn't feel overly rehearsed or polished, yet that aided in making it feel genuine. Tinaye's was true to his word that he was overwhelmed by the truth and what a hilarious truth it was.
Beyond what it means for Tinaye's career as a stand up comedian, this show affirms Zimbabwean stand up comedy's place within the mainstream. It was only in 2019 that Harare's iconic Reps Theatre had its first sold out comedy show, but now it might as well be a home for the art.
Greedysouth rating: 7.9/10
Neville The Entertainer was host, and his comedy was as immaculate as the suits he changed at every interval, with a reminder that unlike Passion Java he didn't repeat suits.
Tomas Brickhill provided the night its rock laced musical interlude, Patricia overcame a few nerves to make her African parents proud with the crowd's applause, Chipenzi was masterful in making us laugh at the ridiculous and Probeatz was awe inspiring in how he used his mouth.
Tinaye was introduced by Comrade Fatso, and immediately had words for his own introduction. Fatso had given him the difficult task of coming after a white man, and to quote him "If you don’t think that's difficult just ask black farmers." This set the tone for what would come, an hour of ribaldry laughter with no sacred cows, even Tinaye's own clan.
Zimbabwe's oligarchs, Jah Prayzah, and the country's political minefield were navigated with an intelligent touch, with no one being off limits. Tinaye was God's advisor during Judgement Day, he was an unlucky actor still in character outside state house and he was a teenager kissing a boy once. A myriad of moments within his life or imagination, that constantly drew laughter.
There was a raw edge to the material, a relatability that would connect to any Zimbabwean, and a whimsical nature to the delivery that hit the funny bone. It didn't feel overly rehearsed or polished, yet that aided in making it feel genuine. Tinaye's was true to his word that he was overwhelmed by the truth and what a hilarious truth it was.
Beyond what it means for Tinaye's career as a stand up comedian, this show affirms Zimbabwean stand up comedy's place within the mainstream. It was only in 2019 that Harare's iconic Reps Theatre had its first sold out comedy show, but now it might as well be a home for the art.
Greedysouth rating: 7.9/10