The words stand-up comedian and sold-out stadium hardly ever appear in that same sentence in this country, but comedy mega-star Michael McIntyre regularly fills Britain's largest venues and he had no trouble packing out the Vector Arena on Monday night on his first trip Down Under.
If the secret of his success could be reduced to a simple formula everyone would be doing it but one can't help speculating on what sets McIntyre apart in a crowded field.
His commitment to old-fashioned observational humour suggests sophisticated post-modern irony may have lost its sizzle and people may be growing weary of edgy, offensive, X-rated shows.
But my best guess is that McIntyre's phenomenal ability to connect with diverse audiences stems from an uncanny skill for extracting comedy gold from the most mundane situations.
His routines build spiraling baroque elaborations on topics as simple as wearing glasses, the spelling of names or the etiquette of gym changing rooms, and create the wonderfully therapeutic impression that you are laughing at yourself.
