I had never been to Waterside Arts Centre, Sale until last Saturday. On a dark drizzly October evening it’s a sterile sort of place – like an up-market community centre.

The clientele were well-groomed theatregoing types. We didn’t fill the auditorium either, so the compere had to work especially hard to warm us all up for the four stand-up comedy acts which followed.

The first three were amusing, but the headline act Steve Shanyaski possesses a star quality which had me wheezing with uncontrolled laughter. He’s talented, insightful, self-assured, and definitely worth seeking out. Just remember your inhaler.