It says something about the truly dark state of the planet that even Paul Foot, not previously known for his forthright political pronouncements, has decided to do a show this year about world events. It's a brilliant show that will make you laugh like a drain (whatever that means) and also stun you into silence during one haunting story.

 

As comedy followers may be aware, Foot underwent an epiphany a couple of years ago, his depression suddenly lifted and he went from fruity loops surrealist to more accessible stand-up. He still has the odd flight of fancy but during the start of this show I was thinking if only Live at the Apollo hadn't been axed his high energy initial observational material would have slotted perfectly into their format.

 

But this routine – about how when we go abroad we think it's a 'good sign' when we see a restaurant full of locals, but wouldn't think it was such a good sign if we saw a London Wetherspoons packed with Brits – could be seen as a set-up for more serious material later on about how people follow the herd in bad ways as well as good.

 

Foot is breaking new ground in The Future. He also gets very personal for what I think is the first time, telling the tale of how his Jewish grandmother escaped from Nazi Germany in the 1930s. It's not what you expect from Foot, which makes it all the more powerful. I won't say more here, you really have to see it. 

 

Of course there is silliness here, but he does seem to feel the need to address contemporary issues. There's also a terrific riff about the transgender in sport debate. Why do we get so overheated, he asks: "Badminton has nothing to do with anything."

 

There are jokes about Elon Musk, quips about Liz Truss, at times it's as if Foot has been taken over by the spirit of Ben Elton. He is super-confident onstage too, relaxed enough to pause and take lengthy sips of water before moving on.

 

I thought he couldn't top his last show, Dissolve, but with The Future, which towards the end made me think of Charlie Chaplin's momentous closing monologue in the Great Dictator ("Greed has poisoned men’s souls, has barricaded the world with hate.") Foot has actually surpassed his own recent high standards.