Nadanja Bailey wants Bermuda to pack Ruth Seaton James Auditorium for a comedy show that will be filmed here and streamed by a major media company.

TK Kirkland, billed as “the Underground King of Comedy”, will be the star of the stage on April 15. As explained by Nadanja, it’s a first for the island.

“There's never ever been a comedy special shot in Bermuda. Others have done it in Cuba, or wherever, but not in Bermuda – so it's a big deal for me.

“He’s gonna film it in Bermuda and then it'll be picked up by a major network – either Hulu, TV One, Netflix … whoever’s gonna pay him the most money. But for us as a country, as an island, we will be showcased.

“So, I've set up backdrops for him that show different pictures of Bermuda with his name going across it.

“So a picture of a nice golf course, or a beach or Front Street, we would recognise it and people who have visited Bermuda will be like, ‘Hey, that's Front Street!’ once they see it on whatever network it’s going to be on.”

TK is a veteran comedian who has appeared on countless programmes including BET Comic View and Def Comedy Jam.

Also an actor, podcast host and writer, he has appeared in New Jersey Drive, Strays, Black Bold and Beautiful Baller Blockin’ and Are There any Questions? as well as various independent films.

He is a fan of Bermuda, having returned many times since he performed at Clay House Inn in 2011 with Bootsie’s Comedy Grip.

The New Jersey native, who has been in the entertainment industry for more than 40 years, is said to “always leave audiences wanting more” and is described as “a genius, with his thought process and delivery”.

Nadanja will perform in next month’s show, but not be seen in the US comedian’s “one-man special” when it streams.

“And I’m fine with that,” the popular local comedian said. “The idea is just to get people in the seats, that’s it. We just want people to come to the show, and have a great time.

“My job is just to keep comedy alive in Bermuda. I do two shows a year, one for my birthday in September and one in April. So this is the April show.”

The pair had known each other “for years” through TK’s frequent visits to Bermuda.

“I reached out to him when I turned 40 to say, ‘Hey man, I think it's time to come back to Bermuda. Would you like to do my birthday show?’”

TK said yes. The 2016 show “was a hit”.

In January Nadanja was surprised when the comedian called saying he was back on the island.

“We talked and he said, ‘Look, man, I have an opportunity to film a comedy special. People want me to do it, some major networks. So I want to do it here in Bermuda, but I want you to promote it and produce it for me’. So I got excited.

“People should want to come just to be a part of history. This is a big deal.”

It’s for that reason Nadanja isn’t bothered that his name won’t appear in the credits.

“I'm not really worried about that. You know, for me, it's more about getting another avenue to put Bermuda on the map.

“Bermuda is always on the map for sports, not so much for entertainment. The only person who really travels like that is Collie Buddz, and maybe Kaelyn Castle [but] this is what I love. So I'm gonna push this.”

Nadanja doesn’t know how long it will take for the special to be put on TV once it has been filmed.

“I wouldn't know that. That'll be up to him, his manager and, like I say, he’s going to sell it to a network. Which one? He will tell me and then I'll let everybody know. But for now, just go get your ticket.”

TK Kirkland’s one-man show will be recorded live at Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts on April 15. Showtime is 8.30pm. People should be prepared for “strong language”. Tickets are available at bdatix.bm, 27th Century Boutique and from Nadanja Bailey.