...after he was asked about Putin

Stand-up is becoming increasingly popular in Russia, with more and more Western comics gigging there. However, freedom of speech remains at a premium.

Reginald D Hunter recalls a recent Moscow show in which the audience listened to him through headphones and an interpreter.

Midway through the gig, someone shouted out: ‘So what do you think of Putin?’ the American told the Norwich Evening News. 

'I said, "He’s great if you like making people disappear" and changed the subject. But he said, "No, what do you think of Putin?" So I said, "He looks great in Speedos".

'This went on for about ten minutes and finally I said, "Look what are you trying to do to me man? I don’t want to have to make a dash for the US Embassy?"

'But it turned out for the entire section when I was ribbing Putin the interpreter didn’t interpret. It was ten minutes of dead silence.'

Published: 1 Jun 2017