The hangdog look, the sombre clothing, the air of gloom — all are very familiar. Leonard Cohen is, after all, a rock legend, venerated by followers all over the world.

But look more closely, and you see there is something not quite right. The man wearing the black homberg and glum expression is not Cohen. It is south London comedian Arthur Smith, who counts himself as one of the Jewish music god’s biggest fans.

Not only does Mr Smith resemble his idol, his gravelly voice is well suited to performing the great man’s songs. So much so, that the stand-up from Balham has created a stage show out of it — Arthur Smith sings Leonard Cohen, Volume 2.

Mr Smith said: “I’ve always been a fan of Cohen and I’ve been to see him a few times. Naturally I tried to sing his songs and when I realised I could, I thought it would make the perfect show.

“I looked at the topics that came up in his work and found things like dementia and losing all your money. While it doesn’t sound like a laugh, there is comedy to be had in there.”

The show — Cohen’s songs interspersed with Smith’s personal stories — was a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last summer and now an extended version, complete with backing singers The Smithereens, is being staged at the Soho Theatre, in London, this month.

The comedian says he has always felt “an affinity” with Jews — he is often mistaken as one — which is partly why he was drawn to the Canadian singer.

“I’ve always felt a connection to him and people like Woody Allen,” he said.

“Maybe it is the dark sarcastic side but also the strong sense of spirituality he has, searching for yourself. I like all that.”