- Paul Smith is a genuine comedy phenomenon. To be perfectly honest I’d never heard of him until he had a gig at the 4000-capacity Eventim Apollo in London. Not bad for the MC at Liverpool’s Hot Water Comedy Club, who rarely plays the capital and doesn’t have major publicity muscle behind him. The secret of Smith’s success, apart from the fact that he is a genial, instantly amiable traditional stand-up with a nice line in cheeky banter, seems to be his online presence. His live clips, released via Hot Water, have regularly gone viral, clocking up clicks all over the UK. Hence this tour which finishes on November 16 with an arena gig in Liverpool. Click here for dates and tickets and to look at Smith in action.
1. What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth)?
This is a little embarrassing, nobody knows this about me but before I go on stage I always ask god for the strength to make these people laugh. It’s weird because I’m not a religious person. Just a superstition.
2. What irritates you?
Child car seats, butter knives being left on the side, not being able to find any socks.
3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
Drank a full bottle of vodka to myself when I was 14 to show off. I almost died. Still can’t stomach vodka to this day.
4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
Deciding six months into stand up, after being made redundant from my last ever graphic design job, that now was the right time to go pro. It wasn’t. I was shit. I got into a lot of debt chasing that dream.
5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
The last six months, it’s been unbelievable. I’m being recognised in the street all the time and people all over the world are watching my work. Now I’m selling thousands of tickets all over the country. I’m playing the Hammersmith Apollo and the Echo Arena! It’s mad I never imagined that would happen.
Interview continues here.
