Kate Smurthwaite

Award-winning Comedienne, Broadcaster and Journalist

Started performing as a comic (after work) in early 2004. Quit day-job in finance and turned professional in June 2005. Performed at over 1000 shows at venues across the UK and overseas. Clubs performed at include Backyard Comedy Club, Birmingham Glee Club, Jesters in Bristol, Brighton Komedia, 99 Clubs around London, Oxford Street Comedy Club (won comedian of the year in 2004), Outside The Box (Chortle 2006 club of the year) and Amused Moose (Chortle 2004 & 2005 club of the year), Monkey Business, the Bloomsbury Theatre, Brighton Comedy Festival, Newbury Comedy Festival, Bury St Edmunds Comedy Festival, RiFiFi (New York). Political comedy nights including This Week On Earth and What A Day It’s Been.

Edinburgh Festival 2005: Compered Amused Moose Hot Starlets.

Edinburgh Festival 2006: Solo show – Adrenaline (about dangerous sports).

Edinburgh Festival 2007: Performed in Sing-Along-A-The-Joy-Of-Sex with David Mulholland, compered the F-Show (Free Fringe late night cabaret), Comedy Cocktail (sketch and improv show).

Compered comedy tent at Fringe Sunday 2005-2007, appearances at Spank, Lunchbox Live, PBH & some comedians.

Comedy writing credits: Corporate events for – British Association of Removers, Association of Electricity Producers, Silver Jet, HBOS. Caroline Bernstein (impressionist), Rachel Elnaugh (Dragon’s Den “celebrity”).

TV & Presenting:
Radio Jackie morning show presenter 2006, guest host and expert on BBC Five Live, BBC Wales, BBC World Service, BBC Leeds, BBC Swindon, Festival FM, Fresh Air FM, Leith FM, Cork103.

Regular pannellist on Sky Travel’s “Where In The World?”, guest on BBC One Breakfast Show.

Live Hosting:
Live Debates – The Trouble with Love I and II, The Trouble With Money, The Trouble with Men (all for Tiemo Entertainments).

Host of several major charity events, music shows, a curry-eating contest and regular speed-dating events.

Education:
2006/2007 Acting foundation course at City Lit, Singing For Actors, Acting Through Improvisation, Actor’s Workshop. TV presenting at Top TV Academy.

Other Skills:
Journalism: Guest writer on BBC website. Cruella-blog website has been featured in The Guardian, The Independent, The Evening Standard, The Metro, The Herald and on BBC website.

Fluent Japanese, conversational French, British Sign Language (for the deaf).

Reviews:

“Charming, witty and with just a hint of a wicked glint in her eye, Kate Smuthwaite’s exuberant and affable personality is a little reminiscent of an excitable, slightly irresponsible head girl luring impressionable fourth formers into some illicit fun. You’d have to be made of granite not to warm to her.****” National Student

“Adrenaline [2006 solo show] made me want to go cliff-jumping even though I have been suffering from narcolepsy for the past ten years! ... Absolutely brilliant, funny from start to finish” bbc.co.uk

“Excellent ... the next big thing for the comedy circuit. ****” one4review.com

“This is high quality stand-up, not to be missed. ****” Three Weeks

“Spectacular ... brilliant humour. ****” Edinburgh Guide