JIM SMALLMAN
(You'll note that this has been written in the first person, giving the impression that I speak like a professional wrestler. Excellent.)
Jim Smallman has been resolving his own personal issues through the medium of comedy since 2005, bringing his own brand of oddball observations and paranoid illness to stages all over the UK. After stumbling into a comedy workshop in a vain bid to conquer his nerves he somehow found himself onstage several times a week with a microphone in his hand and people listening to his general weirdness. Often, they laughed.
In demand both for his stand-up and increasingly for his compere work, Jim's act touches on his odd life, his obsession for knowledge and his downright childish silliness. A regular compere throughout the UK, since 2006 he has been resident compere at the Giggling Badger clubs in the East Midlands. Performing as an MC has opened up his act to new realms of messing around and making audiences act out his every whim as his enthusiasm takes centre stage.
Jim was a finalist in the Laughing Horse new act competition in 2006 and again a finalist in the Equity Comedian of the Year competition in 2007. He has received critical acclaim around the UK for his comedy and is becoming increasingly in demand on the circuit. This helps his self esteem somewhat, but possibly doesn't help his bizarre outlook on life.
Thus far the high point of Jim's career has been performing in front of 2,000 people at Leicester's De Montfort Hall for the 2007 Leicester Comedy Festival Preview Show alongside Jason Byrne, Rhod Gilbert and Russell Howard.
Jim's debut 1 hour solo show ''Hello, My Name is Jim and I Have All The Answers'' will be performed at comedy festivals throughout the UK in 2007. This deals with his ridiculous quest for pointless facts, and is notable for illustrating that a man so allegedly obsessed with knowledge can still plumb the depths of finding as many facts about penises as possible.
Press Quotes:
''... Jim Smallman had an impressive stage presence for one so new, holding his own amongst pros... he has great potential.'' - Chortle review of De Montfort Hall show, 2007
''... Jim Smallman also shone. He's been on the stand-up circuit for less than two years, yet he looked completely at home in this lofty company. A laconic, sarcastic gag machine, he's certainly a comedian to keep an eye on'' - Lincolnshire Echo, 2007
''First up was the extremely funny Jim Smallman... he earned lots of laughs with his naughty jokes'' - Leicester Mercury, 2006
''...There is something intriguing about him... his outlook is sarcastic and frustrated, which he can, now and then, focus into a perfect gag. His bad taste Pussycat Dolls is an instant classic.'' - Chortle, 2006
''After a half an hour session... I'd plump for the burning fires with Jim, who was sharp and yet had a warm humility.'' - Leicester Mercury, 2007
One of the best young and exciting comedians around