Ian Smith has a problem: his life is going too well for a stand up comedian.
But his nascent middle class troubles have been disturbed by something he never expected. Semen. Or, to be more precise, his sperm count.
With a topic that could seem cringingly personal, Smith’s affable style makes his journey to the wanking room and beyond a surprising delight to listen too.
There are some neat structural twists – including an apparent comedy first, the stand up flash forward – that make this a cerebral as well as very funny listen, especially suited to the Radio 4 listener that is his core audience, at least judging by the Norwich Arts Centre crowd.
Other topics include his advancing age, the rabbit hole of internet medical diagnoses, and his white supremacist namesake. Be careful what you Google is always good advice.
He seemed genuinely confused by the audience interaction that led to a lengthy discussion of Norwich’s nearby dinosaur park and the culinary delight that was (is?) Orlando’s family home / restaurant, but kept the show on the road regardless. No mean feat on the hottest May day on record.
The show’s final reveal perhaps didn’t get quite the reaction that Smith was hoping for, but this was still an assured, amiable, and amusing evening.
- Ian Smith: Foot Spa Half Empty was at Norwich Arts Centre on 26 May 2026, then touring nationally.
