Arthur Smith is a south London stand-up comedian, writer and compere who has been a fixture of British alternative comedy since the late 1970s. Born in Bermondsey and a graduate of the University of East Anglia, he became resident compere of the Comedy Store during the mid-1980s and has appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe almost every year since 1977, longer than nearly any other performer working today. His dry, downbeat wit and effortless command of a room have made him one of British comedy's most respected elder statesmen.
Arthur is best known for his own variety show, Arthur Smith's Balham Bash, in which he hosted guests for a night of comedy and music from his own home, and for compering the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year final almost every year of its run. He is also an accomplished writer, penning the Olivier-nominated play An Evening With Gary Lineker among numerous other works for stage and radio. His decades of stage experience have made him one of the most in-demand comperes on the circuit.
Arthur's experience as both a stand-up and a compere makes him an ideal choice for events that need a safe pair of hands guiding the evening as well as genuine laughs. His dry wit and natural warmth translate easily to corporate functions, club nights and theatre shows, and decades on stage mean he handles any room with confidence and good humour, whether he is headlining a set or hosting the whole evening from start to finish.