Welcome to the home of stand up comedy in Bishop's Stortford.

Josh Howie was raised as a Buddhist, before living with Native Americans and finally settling down as a trainee Rabbi.  At least that was the plan until he was kicked off the program for getting caught with a naked (non-Jewish) girl.  Perhaps it was inevitable that he would go on to become a stand-up comic.  

Performing regularly at all the major comedy clubs around the UK, so far this year Josh has also taken his distinctive brand of humour to Ireland, France, China and Thailand.  He has also written and performed two solo shows for the Edinburgh Festival, before sell-out runs at the Soho Theatre; his hugely successful debut solo Fringe stand up show, entitled Chosen, which played to sell out audiences and received rave reviews at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival, and returning in August 2010 with Josh Howie: Gran Slam, based on his time living with his grandmother. Another distinctive and highly original show, Gran Slam also went down a storm with audiences and critics alike.

Josh has been filmed for the Comedy Central shows Comedy Store, World Stands Up and Comedy Blue and can currently be seen as the presenter of Movie Geek, the Sky Movies show that offers all the latest news in the world of cinema.  Often praised for his writing talent, Josh is a regular contributor to The Guardian, a reviewer for Sky Movies Magazine, and writes a weekly column 'Fears of a Clown' for blokely.com.

Television credits:
The Movie Geek (Presenter, Sky Movies, 2009-Present)
Comedy Store (Comedy Central, 2010)
TNT Show (Channel 4, 2009)
Comedy Blue (Comedy Central, 2008)
The Kevin Bishop Show (Channel 4, 2008)
World Stand Up (Comedy Central, 2007)
Indie Close Up (Presenter, Sky Movies, 2007-2008)

Radio credits:
Comedy Club (R4 Extra, 2011)
4 Stands Up (R4, 2009)
Act Your Age (R4, 2009)

Josh Howie – Press Quotes

Howie is a name to watch.
The Times

A fabulous storyteller who can make you concentrate in silence then erupt into a fit of giggles. He’s slick, he’s quick and he’s incredibly playful with words.
***** Metro

Josh Howie walks the potentially trip-wired ground of race and religious identity with diamond-sharp wit and no small degree of daring.  It’s fiercely intelligent, delivered with verve and you can expect to see a lot more of Howie in the future.
The Observer

Great things are expected from the abrasive yet strangely lovable Josh Howie.
The Guardian

Howie is an intelligent comedian who knows how to amuse, shock and move an audience in equal measures.
Time Out

He is a very smart and hugely sophisticated writer; pulling the interesting facts from his life, then mixing honesty and wit, and only then garnishing it with punchlines.
**** Chortle

It’s refreshing to see someone like Howie tell a wider story about his life while taking comic opportunities at every turn.
**** Independent

Sharply drawn self-deprecating stories, plus a too-much-information re-birthing anecdote, are given added oomph by accompanying photos and Howie’s nervy comedic delivery. This is a very good hour.
**** Evening Standard

As a piece of writing it is quite literally breathtaking...Terrifyingly funny.  Howie is a charming, diffident, articulate man with a show that is as fascinating as it is funny. He is a terrific talent.
The Scotsman

Comedian, actor and writer Barry Castagnola has firmly established himself as an accomplished comic performer. He has been performing stand-up in the UK and internationally for over 6 years since blagging his way onto the stage at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles. His easy-going (yet very physical) style, mixing personal anecdotes with some sharp topical and political comment, enthuses audiences at most of the major comedy clubs in the UK. As well as being a popular compere, Barry regularly headlines gigs around the country. He has performed in New York, Ireland, The Melbourne Comedy Festival, Glastonbury and The Reading Festival. TV stand up includes The Stand Up Show (BBC1) and Net.Comedy (Carlton)

Barry stormed the 2004 EDINBURGH FESTIVAL with his debut solo show, inspired by clearing out his childhood bedroom. The Importance of Not Being Too Earnest gained great critical acclaim. Below is a selection of quotes from the press about the show:
'Castagnola has crafted a delightfully enjoyable portrait of himself as a young man...well constructed...so enjoyable' ****Chorlte

'Such fun... an appealing hour of biographical stand up' The Guardian - Todays Pick