Now in its sixth year, the Vodacom Funny Festival has consistently offered audiences the cream of local and international comic talent.

The live comedy circuit in South Africa is humming at the moment, with gigs happening in almost every club, pub or hall big enough to accommodate the growing list of comedians who appear to be colonising our hearts and minds.

Comedy not only serves to help us forget our troubles, but also offers a reliable barometer of the county's psychological and emotional temperature and it is very clear that, right now, the nation is in the mood for laughter.

And as we mature and begin to define ourselves more clearly, South African comedians have begun to spin humour and comedy that is much more nuanced, unpredictable, sophisticated and jaw-numbingly funny.

Take young Ndumiso Lindi, for example. His is a slick, confident and utterly original urban routine anchored in a hilarious riff on men, women, making love and music with an R&B-meets-isicathamiya twist in the punch line. You have to experience it to get the full range and frequency of his humour.

Homeboy Dr Riaad Moosa, always a favourite in Cape Town, didn't disappoint with his gentle but out-there routine, partly about being Muslim but mostly about being South African.

Al Prodgers flew the flag for Gauteng with a more caustic and wry set, while the manic MC Alan Committie, who never disappoints, manages to hook and hold the audience between acts. It's a gruelling job, having to find space to work the audience between so many brilliant routines, but Committie pulls it off and makes everyone feel like one of the family.

International acts on opening night were the utterly original The Raymond and Mr Timkins Revue, who return to offer more unexpected and hilarious musical humour. The simplicity and intelligence of their routine - playing with the literal meaning of lyrics - is a delight.

The gorgeous and technically brilliant UK ventriloquist, Paul Zerdin, had the woman seated behind me repeating, "no, no, it's too freaky, I can't handle it" while watching Sam, his doll, interact with the audience.

There wasn't a single lame or dud moment on opening night and the audience left happy and punchline-drunk.

International performers on the bill vary during the month-long festival, so check before you book.