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Barry Castagnola

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

'Perfect' ***** Three Weeks

'A confident, likeable comic ... it's his self deprecating bemusement at his own diary entries, overblown song lyrics, home videos and vintage possessions that holds this show together and provides the most hilarity' Metro

'A genial performer, he has a gift for self mockery and his youthful indescretions chime easily with an audience' The Scotsman 'So confident in the delivery of his material...you've got to admire his no-frills approach' The Stage

'A hugely talented performer Scotsgay

'A natural anecdote teller... his enjoyable show marks him out as one to watch.' The List

Barry is also one third of + CYDERDELIC with + MARC WOOTTON and + LIAM WOODMAN. After Cyderdelic won BBC2's inaugural Green Light Award, they filmed a half hour special, The Revolution Will Be Televised, which was broadcast in January 2002. The BBC then filmed a six-part documentary (narrated by John Peel) following them over the summer of 2003, which included performances at Glastonbury and The Berlin Love Parade and various protests all over Europe. This was broadcast in February and March of this year to great critical acclaim. Edinburgh or Bust (C4) so much that they followed them around for most of the festival. They also performed regularly on The 11 O'Clock Show (C4).
At the end of last year, Barry played one of the lead roles in a British feature film, Dog (Razor Edge Films). As well as Cyderdelic, recent TV work includes Experimental (Radar Television for Channel 4) and being the presenter and hidden camera performer for the YES/NO Gameshow (Mastmedia for Bravo).

Barry is also an experienced writer, having written for a variety of radio and television shows.

TELEVISION
CYDERDELIC (BBC2 / BBC3)
FRENCH & SAUNDERS (BBC1)
EXPERIMENTAL (CHANNEL 4)
OBLIVIOUS (ITV1)
THE YES/NO GAMESHOW (BRAVO)
THE STAND UP SHOW (BBC1)
THE 11 O'CLOCK SHOW (CHANNEL 4)
EDINBURGH OR BUST (CHANNEL 4)
COMEDY.NET (CARLTON WORLD)
COMEDY NATION (BBC2)
ALEXEI SAYLE'S YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE DANCING (BBC1)

FILM
DOG (RAZOR EDGE FILMS)
COLD (CHARLIE PRODUCTIONS)