GAGFILES: Comedian Michael Shafar Talks Law Degrees, Jewish Mothers And Stand-Up

The time is nigh for Winterfest to rear its head, so who better to introduce than a stand-up comedian who finds pleasure out of rebelling from his neurotic Jewish mother’s high expectations…We give you Michael Shafar.

Have you always been a performer?

I started performing and writing comedy in 2011.

 What kind of kid were you growing up? 

I definitely liked getting the attention when I was growing up. I’m the youngest in my family, so I think I was always looking for attention.

Was this life always the dream for you growing up? 

I actually had a plan on becoming a lawyer and I finished my law degree last year, but then decided that I’d much rather be happy and do comedy.

What made you realize you could profit from this talent? 

When I first started making people laugh, I thought that maybe people might be happy to pay me in exchange for helping them to release endorphins. It’s a pretty reasonable quid pro quo.

Describe your ultimate gig?

Small, dark, underground basement with a small crowd that is really into comedy.

What are you doing when you aren’t writing or performing?

I work as a tutor for VCE English students.

If this weren’t your career, what would you be doing instead?

Comedy is not my career, but I’m hoping it will be. Otherwise, I’ll have to get an office job and will most likely be very bored.

Would you sacrifice a limb for your talent if you had the choice?

Probably not a limb. But, maybe my appendix. A lot of people don’t have an appendix and they seem fine.

Lastly, Why do you do it?

Mostly because it makes me happy. Being on stage is the best part of my day. It’s also an excellent way of annoying my neurotic Jewish mother who assumed that I was going to be a lawyer.

Winterfest 2015 starts tonight!
Thursday – Improvisation from 7.30pm – 8.30pm. Late night comedy from 9 – 10pm.
Friday – Live Cover band from 6.30pm – 7.30pm. Variety night from 8pm.
Saturday – Piano Bar with Rising Musical Theatre Stars from 6pm. Variety Closing Gala from 8pm.
When: 2nd, 3rd, 4th July.
Venue: The Courthouse Hotel, Cnr Queensberry and Errol St, North Melbourne Tickets: Tickets on the door, cash only.
One show – $10
Two shows – $15
Lounge shows – Free entry
More in here

Thursday Night comedy

MC – Geoff Setty

Mayumi Nobetsu

Brianna Williams

Peter Jones

David Rose

Michael Shafar

Impromptunes

Friday night variety
Band – Grant Buse and Isabella Valette

MC – Dolly Diamond

Luka Muller

Blake Freeman

Gamze Kirk

Jane Schofield

Sonia Di Iorio

Linda Beatty

Megan McKay

Saturday Night 
MC – Stuart Daulman

Natasha York

Paul Culliver

Hammertime and Biggish

Hayley Brennan

Grant Buse

Skylar Delphinus

Amberly Cull

Mark Pengilly

Eden Swan

Isabella Valette

Em O’Loughlan

Musical Theatre/Piano Bar singers 

Jack O’ Riley

Amelia Stubbs

Natasha York

Isabella Valette

Ashleigh Krevald

Joel Pascowalski

Amberly Cull