Barry Ferns first started stand up aged 17. He got to the semi-finals of “So you think you’re funny”, won the Glastonbury Festival Comedy Competition and was described by Bristol’s “Venue Magazine” as “sickeningly talented” and by Matt Lucas as “One of the best new acts I have ever seen”.
He promptly gave up stand up for 10 years to do Sketch comedy.
In the meantime he wrote, directed and produced 7 Edinburgh Fringe comedy shows, and wrote for a number of BBC radio and E4 comedy shows.
In August 2008, he started stand up again and has been gigging more and more since then, up and down the country, compering and as of 2010, running two successful comedy clubs at the Camden Head in Islington.
Described as “One of the best shows I saw this year” by Roger Cox of “The Scotsman” and as
“Sublime… The antidote to the fringe’s cheap laughs, this was a refreshingly feel-good show” ***** Three Weeks
He has won Spirit of the firinge awars, Malcolm Hardee Awards and been nominated for a Chortle award for MC-ing.
Quotes for his shows:
The Leisure Virus:
“The Leisure Virus comes from a strain of comedy that includes The League of Gentlemen, Big Train and Jam, this would only be a problem if it wasn’t bold original and fresh, which it is, and it also deliciously funny too” **** Scotsman
“The Virus team infect the audience with so much laughter, someone should call a paramedic” The Guardian
Doreen:
“The best comedy show I have ever seen at the Edinburgh Festival” ***** Three Weeks.
“An hour of Surreal Genius”**** Metro