Arthur Smith happy about trip to Spalding
ASK Arthur Smith if there's anything he's grumpy about at the moment and coming to Spalding isn't one of the answers.
Comedian and writer "King Arthur" - well known for his views on everything miserable and annoying in the hit TV programme Grumpy Old Men – is the compere for the "Variety Lives" night at the South Holland Centre next Thursday.
He took time out from his regular appearances on the One Show in "Sleeping with..." – where he spends a night in an historic location associated with a famous figure" to chat with the Spalding Guardian.
The South Londoner had just spent a night in Agatha Christie's house and was sat on a hill in the blazing sunshine when he called, a contrast to cold Spalding.
He said: "I've never been to Spalding before – never been "Spalded" I guess you could say – but I am looking forward to it.
"I know it's a flat, wet market town, and will come early to have a good look around. I may even get a Spalding person up on stage with me on the night."
The veteran comedian is a a firm favourite at the Edinburgh Fringe; a regular broadcaster and interviewer on BBC Radio 'Loose Ends and 'Smith Lectures'.
And he recently took on another challenge when he penned his autobiography "My name is Daphne Fairfax".
The title is based on the opening line of hundreds of his stand-up shows:
"My name is Arthur Smith, unless there's anybody here from the Streatham tax office. In which case, I'm Daphne Fairfax."
In the book he reflects on his days as a scruffy kid in Bermondsey, a wild-haired undergraduate, a roadsweeper, an English teacher, a failed rock star, and a boozed-up sexual adventurer – and it's obviously a good read.
He said: "It did take a lot of effort and there was no ghostwriter, because I think of myself as a writer as much as anything else.
"The world does obviously need another celebrity autobiography. It's a marvellous book and I recommend everyone buy it, and furthermore I will be signing copies at the show."
The five star-rated book (on Amazon) also features his views on comedy during the eighties and nineties, and some of his gripes about 21st century Britain.
He said: "I do find more and more signs and notices in the world generally telling me what to do. There's one in front of me here saying 'don't touch this tree'.
"Sometimes I see children dressed in suits of armour as they're being whisked round and I wonder why.
"The chances of a cycle helmet actually doing you any good are so low that you would have to wear one for years to see any benefit.
"There's just too much stuff you could moan about. Everything now seems to be going on too much and too quickly – but having said all that, there's nothing worse than a boring old sod on a bad day!"
Arthur will be taking to the stage with comedienne Hattie Hayridge, poet Luke Wright and musicians Ruby Wood and Noah Burton for the show, which is suitable for people aged 16 and above.
It starts at 8pm. Tickets are 15 (14 concessions), available at the Box Office on 01775 764777 or at www.southhollandcentre.co.uk.
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Weather for Spalding
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
