Comedy Festival 2018: Mark Watson has a soft spot for leopards in cold zoos in I’m Not Here ★★★★

Comedy of the likeable kind with the ever-popular, increasingly affable Mark Watson returning to the festival after a three-year absence, which he will explain in his next show.

IT is little wonder that Melbourne audiences love Mark Watson.

He swathes us in compliments and has a genuine affection for the place he describes as his second home but, like the best comedians, he shows us how to also laugh at ourselves.

The key topic of his show may be the fact he almost didn’t make it when he last toured in 2015 but there are multiple spin-offs. He thrives on them and it sometimes looks in danger of unravelling but he is always in complete control and has the audience in the palm of his hand.

LANO & WOODLEY BUZZING IN MICF RETURN

AMY CUNNINGHAM: WRAPPED UP IN A GLAZE OF MORALITY

ALICE TOVEY: FIST-PUMPING CABARET MADE FOR MILLENNIALS

COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE COMEDY FESTIVAL

Through the course of the show we get to know him as a dad who is separated from his partner, a man with a mixed-up relationship with alcohol and is so open about his fragile ego that it becomes an asset rather than a hindrance.

Mark Watson in I'm Not Here.

He is a thoroughly likeable bloke who has a laugh at people who know the phonetic alphabet, Australians who love abbreviating abbreviations and 1980s pop music. There is also always the difference between English and Australian weather for some guaranteed warming up.

A professional who is a clever over-thinker with a soft spot for leopards confined to cold English zoos. Can’t help but love a guy who stands up for the leopards and never stops being funny.

Mark Watson, I’m Not Here.

Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston St, City. Until April 9.

comedyfestival.com.au

Mark Watson has a soft spot for leopards in cold zoos. Picture: Jim Lee Photo