Leighton Smith, Dr Kathy Grant flavour pot at Christmas Comedy Cook-up

After 22 years of offering up comedy served hot and spicy, the organisers of the Boxing Day show Christmas Comedy Cook-up have the recipe down to an art. Friday’s installation was another series of giggles, guffaws and giveaways as people came prepared for an evening of laughs.

The ballroom of The Jamaica Pegasus hotel was packed with patrons who had journeyed from Kingston and neighbouring parishes to support comedy, as well as the stated Hurricane Melissa relief effort. With more than eight comedians billed to perform and two doing emcee duties, it promised to be a big stand-up special with lots of rib-tickling and roasting of just about everyone from Melissa to politicians, and even fellow comedians.

Claiming over three decades in the business, Ludlow ‘Pretty Boy Floyd’ Peynado did a great job warming up the crowd and introducing them to Rasheed ‘Pacco’ Lewis, who held his own and provided a decent set. The same could not be said for the two Caribbean performers, as while Simon Alleyne, out of Barbados, could get a pass mark for all his efforts, Allan D’ Entertainer from Trinidad had difficulty connecting with the audience, his jokes seeming to miss their punchlines. Before they could turn completely against him, however, he tried to redeem himself by performing a set similar to Heineken Startime by twinning songs to set the mood for romance, but the reception to this was lukewarm, as they came for comedy and not musical juggling.

Among the highlights of the evening was Owen ‘Blacka’ Ellis receiving an award recognising his contribution to comedy, as well as Dr Kathy Grant for being the only woman to have graced the stage every year since its inception. Dr Grant, who recently completed her doctorate, went right into her routine about what a woman should demand from a relationship and had the women in the audience agreeing with her when she said money, breakfast in bed and trips to Miami are simple enough concessions for a man to make for his significant other to feel appreciated.

Delivered with impeccable timing, Smith’s set made him the man of the evening. Dressed in an impressively loud suit, he declared that his clothes were new because he was told he needed new material. All of his jokes connected in a way that made the crowd long for him to extend his set. Not a man given to modesty, Smith said after his performance, that he rated it a solid A because he always comes prepared. “Oh, it was exceptionally good. Everybody enjoyed it. Me plan fi dem tonight still, ennuh. The fact that I used my clothes to start kicked it off strong.”

Also rolling out the punchlines, Blakka Ellis, Dufton ‘Duffy’ Shepherd and Alton ‘Fancy Cat’ Hardware. Fancy Cat, looking a bit slimmer in physique, shared that “woman stress” had taken a toll on him, but he was still searching for a good woman, so he gave out what was supposed to be his phone number to any single woman who was interested. Before his set was over, women were dialling down his digits.

Though well over four hours long, patrons were happy with the evening’s overall presentation. Tina Wilson-Davis from Spanish Town has been attending the cook-up for over 10 years. “It was excellent. Leighton Smith was my standout performer, as well as Pretty Boy Floyd, and I will be back next year, God willing. It is a great way to just have a good laugh in a good environment.”

Kimanda Cunningham, out of St Andrew, said the show was especially relevant with all that has been happening recently in Jamaica. “It was amazing, and right now, Jamaica needs laughter to uplift our spirits, and so this was the perfect event to deliver this. I loved Kathy. I knew her from Edna Manley, and to see her growth is great.”

One fourth of the male quartet L.U.S.T., Thriller U, was also present and stated that the highlight for him was seeing Dr Grant working the audience. “She is just energetic to the max. I think they should also broaden it and incorporate even one entertainer on the bill, even though it’s a comedy show. They could bring something a little different and could possibly be an opening act for them. It’s something for them to think about,” he said.

nicola.cunningham@gleanerjm.com