The Bewdley Festival audience was treated to a comedy master class from an elder statesman of British comedy.

Having been spotted in the Town earlier in the day, no doubt researching local material, his performance was well honed with his world-weary wisdom and half-bored delivery punctuated with local references.

The newly installed Wyre Forest MP, who was in the audience, received particular attention!

Now enjoying renewed fame on the back of appearances on Grumpy Old Men, Radio 4 and the One Show, Arthur Smith has the status to be able to extol the virtue of being six years old, indulge in gentle reminiscence, ponder on life and offer new and old gags.

He meandered through fragments of his material and tales from his years in the business including the time he had lunch with ‘Mad’ Frankie Frasier and anecdotes involving Tommy Cooper, Eric Sykes and various politicians.

The audience were invited to tell him what makes them grumpy and he then used their material to good effect and no doubt the better items will reappear in subsequent shows. He read some of his surprisingly good poetry and got grumpy about a few things on request, all punctuated with his deadpan gags.

Despite his grumpy repute, Arthur Smith comes across as a good-humoured chap at the top of his game that you would be happy sharing an evening with, knowing he’d always be ready with a gag when the conversation flagged. The audience loved him!

By A.R.K