CRABBY comedian Arthur Smith is offering the people of Borehamwood cold hard cash to get up and tell a joke at his show at The Ark Theatre next week.

The performer, known for his regular appearances on BBC Radio 4 and talking-head television show Grumpy Old Men, is looking forward to lots of audience interaction.

However, participation is just part of a smorgasbord of different show styles Smith has promised, ranging from topical stand-up to singing and poems on the “essence of being”.

Elaborating on what people can expect from the show, the comedian said: “Funny routines about modern life, anecdotes on this ridiculous world we inhabit, I’ve got Leonard Cohen coming to sing a song – although he does look a bit like me, I’ll be taking a few questions and engaging with the people of Borehamwood and asking them what’s so great about it or so rubbish about it, I’ll be recounting ludicrous stories of my life and slagging off David Cameron.”

Asked why he had called the show Arthur Smith Exposed, he first quipped “it was better than Arthur Smith Talking”, then added the show was about exposing the bare essence of life, which he joked was “perfect enlightenment and a good night’s sleep”.

During the show, Smith casts his caustic wit upon a host of targets including BBC political journalist Nick Robinson – of whom he said: “How does he expects us to take him seriously when wears those glasses with eyes painted on the front."

However, the comedian maintains "the show is not hugely political, I touch on a number of things”.

He added: “I’ve become a bit more of an all round entertainer, I used to just do hard-line stand-up, but these days I like to mix it up with more reflective pieces and a bit of dancing and interaction with the audience, as well as singing at least one Leonard Cohen song.”

Asked if it had become harder to find things to be funny about since starting in the 1970s, he said: “Life becomes endlessly more baffling the older you get, when you are a kid you think you’ll grow up and it will all makes sense, but you grow up and it doesn’t.

“There’s never a shortage of subjects for comedy.”

Arthur Smith Exposed is performed at The Ark Theatre Borehamwood, in Thrift Farm Lane, on Wednesday October 12.

Tickets for the 7.30pm performance cost £15 and are available through the box office on 020 8238 7288 or via the website at www.thearktheatre.co.uk.