By BRAD McBEAIN

For the Herald

The crowd at The Austin VFW heard some hilariously original stand-up comedy Wednesday night. The “Very Funny Wednesday” show included sets from headliner Shannon Thompson and feature act Laura Thorne.

Thorne delighted the audience with a half-hour of material about her life as a speech therapist by day, comedian by night. Stand-out subjects were her sister’s run-in with a woman at a nursing home, and her participation in a rather personal medical study, each of which had the audience howling with laughter. “This was such a fun show because everybody was here to have a good time,” Thorne said afterward.

The laughter was far from over Thompson took the stage with tales of a harrowing airplane ride, the difficulties of having to euthanize a bird if front of his girlfriend’s children, and why a childhood bully’s run in with his sister may have been warranted.

Thompson’s 45 minute set was filled with laughs and spontaneous applause. “I can tell you this is the best audience I’ve ever had in Austin…and this is the first time I’ve been here,” Thompson joked.

The audience at the VFW ranged from 20-somethings senior citizens.

VFW’s comedy shows will continue the third Wednesday of each month. They are open to the public.

The next “Very Funny Wednesday” will be at 7 p.m., July 20. The comics performing will be announced June 20.