At last a voice of reason amid the babble of insanity. Will Durst picked up an Edinburgh Comedy Award way back in 1989. He is the epitome of the sharp, eloquent jokesmith who sets out to get laughs but also say something relevant. Durst has performed in front of US Presidents and was a correspondent for the Comedy Channel during the 1992 elections. In 2012 his show Elect to Laugh ran for 41 weeks at San Francisco's Marsh Theatre. In a parallel universe maybe he would have been the host of the Daily Show, but instead he has carved out a reputation as a comedian’s comedian and has been nominated seven times as Stand Up of the Year at the American Comedy Awards. His latest show, BoomeRaging: From LSD to OMG explores what it is like to be an ageing baby boomer. And if Durst can't tell it like it is, nobody can.

Will Durst is at the Gilded Balloon from August 5 - 31. Tickets here.

What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies, check for spinach between teeth and check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt)?

Pace. Listen to the murmur of the crowd. Make sure the cup of coffee accompanying me onstage is full and relatively hot. 

What irritates you?

Many things. Most of them stemming from my seemingly bottomless pit of doubts, insecurities, vacillations and lack of motivation to get over the invisible humps. 

What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?

Tried to speak French to a waiter at a Parisian brasserie. 

What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?

Climbed the roof of a police station and duct taped a Catherine Wheel to the top of their chimney. 

What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy? 

Being able to earn a living at it since 1981. Ain’t life odd. 

Interview continues here.