Wil Anderson: Critically Wil (MICF)

Forget Michelle, Bernie or Kanye for President in 2020. My vote (not that I'm eligible) for the next leader of the free world would be Aussie stalwart stand-up, Wil Anderson.

President Trump has become quite the anathema for comedians, as the helter-skelter absurdities of old mate Don's fledgeling presidency, ripe for parody as they are, have become the lowest of low hanging comedy fruit. But being one of Australian comedy's most experienced and lauded talents, Anderson not only has the bravery and skill to address the Republican elephant in the room, he whacks on a saddle and rides it like a bucking bronco.

The veteran comic's worldview is laid bare in this latest outing, Critically Wil, as he attempts to unriddle the post-truth zeitgeist. A dizzying diversity of topics comes under fire, from the American election and his experiences of the colourful characters of the US while touring, to the lunacy of the Anti-Vaxxer movement, climate change denials, and the shit show of a world Baby Boomers have bequeathed to hapless Millennials. Targeting anti-intellectualism has regularly played a major part in Anderson's shtick, but while this may be familiar territory for him, the troubled times we're living in have never been so deserving of this Anderson-brand dressing down.

Topical as it may be, what's particularly accomplished about the way Anderson handles this subject matter is that his observations of such genuinely depressing situations manage to stay buoyant and entertaining. And this isn't because Anderson pulls his punches. There are moments of earnest, intellectual rigour, but these are tempered with a savvy balance between high and low brow. This is comedy bristling with smarts and insight that still manages to tap a quintessential, true blue Aussieness, free of condescension or elitism.

Also, key to the success of this performance is the incredible dynamism and energy Anderson brings to the stage, both vocally and physically. His career boasts an impressive variety of skills, as a TV presenter, podcaster and broadcaster, but there's no mistaking that Anderson is most in his element when he's doing stand-up, where he can see the whites of the eyes of his audience.

His whip-smart skill at engaging with his punters — lampooning them in such an affable and endearing way that it never becomes humiliating or hurtful — is arguably the greatest pleasure on offer in Anderson's performance. But there's another side to this comic, revealed at this opening night of his 22nd consecutive annual appearance at MICF, that speaks to the palpable warmth and appreciation his audience clearly feel for him.

Adding a touching aside to his set, Anderson takes the time to thank the festival which has played such a significant role in his rise to international stardom, and to thank the Melbourne audiences who have, year in and year out, shown him, face to face, why his choice to pursue a career in comedy has been a sound one. Anderson quips that his fall-back career of newspaper journalist has turned out not to be the safe bet it was when he earned a degree in it two decades ago. I'd wager, given the unfaltering calibre of his comedy, that's not something he needs to worry about.

Wil Anderson presents Critically Wil til 23 Apr at the Comedy Theatre and State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne, part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.