Rode Comedy Festival - Nina Conti, Marcus Brigstocke, Barry Castagnola

NINA CONTI

Nina has won a British Comedy Award, stormed Live at the Apollo, Russell Howard’s Good News, Sunday Night at the Palladium, and made a BAFTA nominated film - all without even moving her lips. Nina began her career as an actress at the Royal Shakespeare Company, before the genius and anarchic theatre director Ken Campbell inspired her to become a ventriloquist. In 2008 she won the prestigious Barry Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for her solo show Complete and Utter Conti. In 2010, Talk to the Hand had sell out seasons in Edinburgh, London, Melbourne, the Sydney Opera House and New York. 

MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE

Marcus Brigstocke’s talent was noted early on in his career in 1996 when he won the BBC New Comedian Award at the Edinburgh Festival. He is now regarded as a major comedy, writing and acting talent, performing stand up nationally to sell out audiences on tour.

BBC Radio 4 has become somewhat of a second home to Marcus with regular appearances on I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue, The Now Show and Just A Minute; he has written and recorded three series and four specials of his hit show Giles Wemmbley-Hogg Goes Off. Most recently, he co-starred alongside Kerry Godliman, in The Wilsons Save The World, which has been recommissioned for a second series.

Marcus has notched up an impressive list of TV credits including his role as team captain on Argumental (Dave), and host of The Late Edition and I’ve Never Seen Star Wars (BBC Four). Other appearances include; Live At The Apollo (BBC One), Have I Got News For You (BBC One), Mock the Week (BBC Two), QI (BBC Two), Sorry I’ve Got No Head (BBC One), The Late Edition (BBC Four), and the 11 O’Clock Show (Channel 4).

Marcus is the master of satirical comedy and has proved to be blisteringly funny over a wide range of topics including; climate change, religious extremism, immigration, loans companies, the Special Relationship, compensation culture, women’s magazines, The EU and David Blaine, not to mention his own personal battle against his middle class roots.

Marcus has also found himself treading the boards of the West End with a critically acclaimed performance as King Arthur in Monty Python’s Spamalot and as Station Master Perks in E.Nesbit’s The Railway Children at London’s Waterloo Station in 2011.

Marcus’ book God Collar, based on his award-winning Edinburgh and West End show, a scathing look at modern faith that will leave you laughing out loud and examining your own beliefs in equal measure, was released in June 2011.

Marcus starred in the short film, Never Land, inspired by the terrible storms that are wreaking havoc on the country, seen through the eyes of a 10-year old boy.

BARRY CASTAGNOLA

Effervescent Castagnola is bursting with hilarious stories and sublime jokes. Tour support for Rhod Gilbert and Greg Davies, Barry has performed all around the world, and we are delighted to have him with us for our last evening at the Rode Comedy Festival.