We enjoyed a brilliant night of stand-up comedy with Michael Shafar. I can’t think of another comedian tackling the contentious issues with such an urbane relaxed persona.

Michael Shafar is known for being a Jewish comedian who is comfortable poking fun at his religion and embracing political incorrectness in all things, but what stands out in his live show is just how articulate he is. It is so refreshing that expletives only flavour his delivery as required rather than completely drowning the message. Also, he doesn’t have that lazy tendency of less gifted stand-ups of picking on audience members – rest assured, you can sit wherever you like with confidence.

So here we have a comedian telling jokes about racism, religion, covid vaccination, drink driving, politics, sex, cancer, and other awkward subjects who is one and the same man that you would like as your best mate or even choose for your daughter’s boyfriend.

The show is beautifully paced and Michael moves adroitly from topic to topic, reading the audience as he goes and pitching accordingly, and his punchlines are delivered with impeccable timing. Michael’s self-deprecation is disarming as he is often the butt of his own jokes.

The true test of a comedian is how much laughter he or she inspires and Michael excels here. I was one of many in the audience with tears in my eyes and I was constantly fearful of taking a mouthful of drink and being forced to spit it out as the laughter took over. Even those times when the topic was a little uncomfortable you couldn’t help but laugh, such is the perceptiveness of his observations.

Michael was at pains to thank Big Daddy Mark (McGowan) for letting him back into Western Australia having been denied entry last year, so don’t miss the opportunity to see him this time around.