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Tafadzwa Zimoyo Entertainment Editor
He is witty, smart and slick. Better still, he has a sleek tongue.
Hate or love him, Nigel Maritinyu is just a marvel to watch. And, he turns his art into what it should really be; a captivating experience.
Judging by his last performance, comedian Maritinyu, affectionately known as “Tha Slick Pastor”, is here to stay. His intentions are clear: he has come to conquer the comedy industry.
Some say it’s too early to judge him, but remember they also say don’t judge a book by its cover.
Aside from his energetic storytelling style, his impressions — throughout the Friday night at his Harare tour, dubbed, “All in One Stand Up Comedy”, show at Reps Theatre, Belgravia, was a success.
The auditorium was full to its capacity to the extent that part of the audience had to sit at the staircase while others had to squeeze in.
Given that in general comedy is moribund in Zimbabwe, the slick one did his best,
Harare was his second tour from last show in Zimbabwe before his departure for Dubai.
Definitely, he is ripe for the international market as he has not only mastered the game, but perfected it.
After holding shows in Birmingham, Cape Town, and Johannesburg among others, he is really on a success plinth.
On his Zimbabwe tour, he went to Norton, Gweru, Mutare, and Bulawayo among others, and featured the United Kingdom-based Zimbabwean comedian King Kandoro, Tinashe This Is It, and Tinaye.
All eyes were on him.
I agree, he has definitely earned the recognition of being a master of the stage.
His talent and dedication have paid off in a big way. It’s always inspiring to see someone achieve their goals and become a true expert in their field.
Very confident, calm, and collected, Nigel brought his A-game to the show as he discussed various topics in his comedy special which ran under the theme, “Bringing Everything About Me That Makes You Laugh,” including his experience in Birmingham, encounters with crackheads, ghetto life, Sir Wicknell car gifting, faithfulness of women, encounters with the police, marriages and affection, and how he thinks our local music is compared to other countries.
Good thing on marriages, he was speaking from experience, giving examples of his wife whom he said in May they are celebrating three years of marriage.
“We are, no she is celebrating three years with me…” he joked.
Right from the beginning, Nigel has served as an inspiration for many aspiring comedians simply for being substantive in his comedy.
Despite conflicting political and religious beliefs, Nigel’s performance brought audience under one roof for the same reason, to laugh.
He emerged onstage in an all-black ensemble complemented with a college jacket inscribed ‘C’.
Looking as dapper as ever, his entrance was backed by the late Soul Jah Love song, ‘Magetsi.’
“…nekuti ndine magetsi, haaonekwe netest meter, energy isina kana anocalcultor…”, true to the lyrics, Nigel managed to put up a stellar performance, wowing the crowd who were clamouring for more.
He performed for just an hour.
Like most comedians from a ghetto background, Nigel poked fun at the atmosphere, where he did a roll call on the security system, as part of the joke.
“Muri pabasa here imi…,” as he was pointing to one gentleman, leaving the crowd in stitches.
“I am different from King Kandoro, I know my limits and where to draw the line,” he said.
Though he distanced himself from political jokes, which he said is not much interested in, he sprinkled in a few jokes about businessman Sir Wicknell Chivhayo.
“I just want my heart to be at peace. Each time we are always on social media, waiting to read in capital letters, who is next to receive the car. My plea to you Sir Wicknell, I am sure you already know who is to get what, just release the list, so that we rest in peace not pieces,” he jokingly said.
Nigel further showcased his immense talent with the British accents when speaking about his travels, and their encounter with the police in the United Kingdom.
What was more impressive, however, was his pastoral switch when he alerted his fans that, the word, ‘hoyo’ which is popular with hip-hop singer Holy Ten is in the Bible.
That part left the crowd in stitches.
Read more on www.herald.co.zw
He proved once again he was the king of imitation, this time around did what some of the local preachers do when they are at the pulpit.
He later sang the famous song from John 14 verse 1.
The audience applauded and sang along, transforming the comedy show into a mini-concert.
Some said that even his low-brow material by his other sidekicks who only centered on political jokes, caused the audience to erupt in laughter.
Nigel’s belief in women’s faithfulness came into play as he joked about how women’s love of celebrity is a genuine love of liking compared to men which is more of lust.
“Imagine walking with your wife then you meet Chris Brown then she asks for a selfie, as a man you need to protect your ego. You may act as if you don’t know who Chris Brown is, being adamant, is he brother to Ammara Brown or what,” he jokingly said.
“But deep down you would love the selfie, then when it comes to men, loving or liking Beyonce is more of lustfulness. You would want to take her home.”
On a more serious note, he then thanked his fans for attending the show which is a dream come true to him.
Nigel feels he needs to assert some kind of authority after spending the past couple of years in fear that his dream will not take off.
He said once went to the United Kingdom and thought of not coming back but the bond with his son made him focus more on his work, being committed as it was bringing food to the table.
“Who knew jokes can make you survive?” he boastfully said.
A clear analysis is that Nigel likes to make jokes and, as a progressive himself, a believer in all the group identities proliferating in elite institutions, seems to believe you can kid people out of their prejudices.
Should we hurriedly safe to say, that comedy is in good hands with Nigel?
What now needs to be done is relative authorities to take the discipline seriously just like music and even soccer so this will also promote tourism and sustain livelihoods.
It is not a joking matter.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter