Jim Smallman: Tattooligan
Live Review

Every picture tells a story, so they say, and Jim Smallman’s covered in them, Even if some of his tattoos tell no anecdote more than ‘I had £50 and half an hour to spare…’

His heavily-inked body means people judge him. Indeed, he sent the elderly listeners of his BBC Radio Leicester show a photograph of himself – without confessing it was attached to the friendly voice they heard every week – and asked them to describe the personality traits they thought he had.

‘Terrible at relationships,’ said one 76-year-old dear, ‘craves attention’ said another, ‘terrible parent,’ said a third – and these comments form the chapter headings from the show. As you can see they have conveniently (possibly a bit too conveniently) given enough broad topics for Smallman to discuss every aspect of his life.

Smallman is an affable, open guide to himself, remaining enthusiastic despite the soul-sapping heat in another Gilded Balloon furnace. He is more engaging and approachable than any of those with preconceptions about his body art would ever imagine.

Under those roasting spotlights, he talks eloquently, warmly and honestly about his bipolar disorder, his drug and alcohol abuse and his inner pervert; not to mention his relationship with his mother (who’s had her own health problems), father and eight-year-old daughter, all of whom he discusses with profound love. None of this is as heavy as it sounds, though, and much of the rest of the show has a much lighter tone anyway; using those good old comic staples of pointless ire and unquoshable pedantry.

It’s an hour of sharing confidences, with tales full of warmth, wit and occasional poignancy. Is it funny? Well, sometimes – but that’s not particularly the aim. It’s certainly uplifting, which appears to be what Smallman hopes to achieve by laying open his life and finding a resonance with an audience who, had they prejudged those tattoos, might have expected an altogether different person.

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Fantastic MC. I can't reccomend him high enough.

James M, October 2010

Hugely talented - hope to see him on TV. A real gem

debbie robins, April 2010

Not quite comedy gold, but certainly got potential. Especially when he eschews the silly-lickle-me stance and sharpens up his frustrated, ironic wit.

Michael Monkhouse, September 2008

Great stuff, really growing at a fast pace.

Barry Dodds, November 2007

Make no mistake Jim Smallman is a star in the making! He is also a true professional. He arrived on time after driving 300 or so miles, to get to 'Comedy at the Cottage my gig in Redhill. We suffered technical hitches, i moved him around in the line up then only gave the poor guy 10 mins. However, he made those 10mins seem like he was the star of the show. Perfect timing, strong original material. The audience loved him! one of them wrote in the comment book, " He contributed by making the night an enjoyable experience for the audience and other comics. To think I might of missed out on this talented find. I would definately book him again! I urge all other promoters to book this guy before he gets famous!

Sajeela Kershi, January 2007

Jim's gigged for me on several occasions and has always managed to deliver the goods;some great material and the audiences have always gone with him wherever he's taken them;great relaxed style, genuine bloke.

Nik Hill, October 2006

I love Jim. He's excellent and has an act which defies the length of time he's been going.

Leigh, August 2006

A very good comedian, and he's only just starting too. Some amazing one liners.

Ian Smith, July 2006

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