Wil Anderson is on fire! The seasoned professional (this is his 15th year at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival)  knows how to entertain an audience. In this year’s offerings, Man vs. Wil, he’s engaged, responsive and self-deprecating when it’s called for. And most importantly: funny.

This stand-up show uses no props, sound effects or visual aids; instead it relies entirely on Anderson’s considerable stage-presence. Anderson easily captivates the audience’s attention for the entire one-hour show, taking us through a series of anecdotes that are based on his own experiences and observations; all delivered at a cracking pace fuelled by his compelling and inclusive energy. Though there are a few occasions that his delivery veers off on the road to hollering, it’s then that you wish he’d popped some of the feline Valium he talks about snaffling from his cat.

Nevertheless, Anderson uses his intelligence and wit to draw us in as he comments on topics such as: the ‘can do’ attitude of Americans; how to impress a lady-love; sexuality; his recent stint living in L.A; and the white noise in society that distracts and influences too many of us.

In teasing out these topics he shares person information that gives context to his point-of-view without ever shifting into the role of preacher or know-it-all. However, he leaves us with no doubts about which point-of-view he’d prefer we adopt.

Anderson is immensely likeable, but provocative and cutting at the same time. You know he’d behave himself if he was invited to have a cuppa with your nanna. You also know he wouldn’t hesitate to use any of her shortcomings as fodder for his next show.