Is there a better way to spend an evening than to listen to a man discuss depression, dementia and death, all set to the music of notorious "Godfather of Gloom" Leonard Cohen?

As a proud miserablist, with an extensive collection of Smiths, Joy Division, Nick Cave and Radiohead records, I can’t.

Which is why I shall be joining a crowd of fellow grumps – no doubt dressed entirely in black, smoking Gauloises – for Arthur Smith Sings Leonard Cohen at the Rose Theatre tomorrow night.

Not to everyone’s taste, perhaps, but for those who appreciate the Canadian octogenarian’s musings on isolation, break ups and despair, this is must see stuff.

Certainly Smith himself holds the view of most Cohen aficionados – that beneath the dark lyrics and sombre arrangements there is a sparkling and uplifting wit.

“What a lot of people don't get is that he’s actually very funny,” says Smith, speaking from Galway Bay following a show on the west coast of Ireland.

“He’s a witty guy. There's a song of his I usually sing in the show that he used to introduce by saying: “I only sing this song when I know the landscape can support the despair I project.” That’s funny. What a great line.”

Smith’s new show is in fact Volume 2 of his Cohen routine – the first “Arthur Smith Sings...” show was 14 years ago.

Smith has had a few hard knocks in the intervening years – he nearly died from necrotic pancreatitis, he developed diabetes, and he watched his mother descend into dementia.

No wonder he turned back to the Cohen records.

“It’s a show about depression, decline, dementia and death,” says Smith. “It doesn’t sound like a barrel of laughs, but it often is.

“When I first started doing it, it was more because I thought it was a funny title Arthur Smith Sings Leonard Cohen.

“I’ve always had a bit of an affinity with him. It helps that I look a bit like him and I can growl along with him. But one of the reason I still do it is I enjoy singing his songs."

Has the man himself ever been to see the show? For once, Smith is coy. “I can’t say too much, because I don't want to spoil the show,” he says.

“There has been contact. He knows about the show, and he approves of it in the sense that he hasn't stopped me doing it.”

  • Arthur Smith Sings Leonard Cohen, Sunday, November 9 , 7.30pm, Rose Theatre, High Street, Kingston, £13 – £19.50. Visit rosetheatrekingston.org.