Paul Smith: Comedy Spotlight

Paul Smith has been performing for ten years, and has had something of an intriguing career trajectory. He was plucked from relative obscurity early on to appear in a TV series pitting different generations of comics against one another, which was an experience he truly hated. Retreating to his hometown of Liverpool to lick his self-inflicted wounds, he cut back dramatically on gigs further afield, and has helped build a tiny empire as the regular compere at Hot Water Comedy (his second home). He’s recently begun staging solo shows at the club, and the success of these is a testament to how much he’s valued by regular visitors there.

Smith’s affability is immediately disarming. Blessed with warmth and charm, he has the ability to turn the rowdiest of mobs into enthusiastic but well-behaved crowds and make it look effortless. He’s also a master of storytelling; even the smallest of anecdotes are told with a well-woven narrative and knowing self-deprecation. Graced with a naturally gregarious disposition and with a wealth of material to draw from, he’s quite simply one of the best MCs Liverpool has to offer. And Liverpool is happy to keep him.

Accolades: 
“Err… None really. I won a best new act in Liverpool in 2006, but the semi-final of So You Think You’re Funny and the final of Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year are the best I managed in big comps. Never did well in them. Nerves always got the better of me.”

Influences: 
“I’ve probably been influenced by hundreds of comics over the years, so to pick out individuals is hard. Chris Cairns definitely had a big impact when I started out, so he deserves a mention. I always looked up to Toby Hadoke; he influenced me a lot. Not in style (he’s very political, I’m far from it), but I always aspired to have his ease on stage.”

Best gig: 
“My first ever solo show in Liverpool. I honestly thought nobody would turn up, but we sold out. I had never played a gig where people had specifically come to see me: usually you have to win a crowd over, but this gig was amazing from the moment I walked on. Plus my mum was there, which was very validating.”

Worst gig: 
“So You Think You’re Funny semi-final. Eleven hours by coach to experience my first ever death, in front of a packed room in Edinburgh at midnight. I crumbled horribly, and my one searing memory is of looking into the crowd and seeing the face of an actress from Babylon 5 shaking her head at me in pity. Harsh criticism indeed. That really hurt.”

Best heckle: 
“Recently, Tez Ilyas was talking about just finishing Ramadan. He asked if anyone else had, to which a woman – with no intention of humour or malice – replied: “I’ve been doing Weight Watchers.” That made me laugh for ages.”

Aspirations: 
“As I get older I realise I just want fun gigs and little stress. I like to learn new things, and spend time with my family. I’m a simple man. No world domination for me.”

What would you be doing if you weren’t doing standup?
“Something equally useless but a lot less fun. I would almost certainly hate my life without it.”

If you could be haunted by anyone, who would it be and why? 
“Gandhi. I think he would be quiet.”

What’s the largest animal you think you could beat in a fight? No weapons. 
“I’ve given this more thought than any other question. A goose.”

If you lived in medieval times what would you do for a living? 
“Jester, obviously. Although I would love to be Master of Coin.”

Question from past Spotlighter Tom Little: What’s the stupidest thing you’ve had to go to hospital for?
“The birth of my son. I wasn’t even needed.”

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Hot Water runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Holiday Inn, Lime Street, Liverpool