Enjoy Comedian Arthur Smith Life Story Interview:
Arthur Smith was the original ‘Grumpy Old Man’ and does come across a little exasperated by life.
Smith was one of many stand-up performers on the alternative comedy scene in the 1980s. He still performs today in much the same manner, and has regularly attended the Edinburgh Fringe comedy festival since 1977, and still compering the long-running Hackney Empire New Act of the Year competition final.
He has also written a body of serious or semi-serious work, including stage plays such as An Evening with Gary Lineker.
Arthur currently presents segments for The BBC One Show & regularly appears on BBC Radio 4.
Enjoy a rare and Exclusive interview….
Smith was born in Bermondsey, South London. His brother is Richard Smith, the medical doctor, editor and businessman. He was a student at The Roan School for Boys, a grammar school, now John Roan School in Blackheath, London.
He then studied at the University of East Anglia where he was chairman of the poetry society, wrote for the student newspaper and contributed sketches for the student review. He graduated with a 2:1 BA degree in comparative literature in 1976.
In the winter of 2006, Smith travelled to Margate to host The Margate Exodus which brought together local musicians and singers to perform songs of the 10 Plagues. Such bands as NARCS and NoisePunk exponents Lips Like Oxygen took to the stage. Smith said, “Blimey, I’m exhausted just watching them!” Smith also played “Clarrie” in the Doctor Who audio, The Kingmaker.
He is currently the host of “Arthur Smith’s Comedy Club” on BBC Radio 4 Extra.
He makes a cameo appearance in the music video of the song Happy Goddamn Christmas[6] by Loretta Maine and Matt Roper, released on 13 December 2012 via BBC Three.
Recorded 2009
Leave a Reply