Writer with Cerebral Palsy Takes Podcast on the Road

Thursday, 5 August 2021 06:00

Photo courtesy of Ollie Taylor Photography

A freelance writer and journalist with Cerebral Palsy is determined to bring entertainment back to live audiences as he prepares to take his podcast, Beyond The Title, on the road in a series of conversational shows throughout the country, including the Isle of Wight.

Josh Barry, from East Cowes, writes with his nose on an iPad which has been a vital technique in the development of his career. So far he’s written two books and a radio documentary but now he is planning to go on tour with some of Britain’s biggest stars.

Josh’s Athetoid Cerebral Palsy results in unwanted movement and speech difficulties so therefore it would be impossible for him to actually ask the questions on stage. Yet this hasn’t halted Josh’s enthusiasm for the project as he’s been lucky enough to recruit comedian and entertainer Phil Reid to be his voice and MC.

Josh ironically met Phil in 2016 at a comedy evening at Gurnard Pines and promptly asked him for an interview for his podcast. The pair stayed in touch and when Josh was looking for a host for his tour, Phil was quick to oblige.

Josh and Phil have been working on this concept for the best part of a year so that Phil knows exactly how Josh wants the tour to look and feel.

Commenting on the forthcoming shows, Phil said: "I am extremely thrilled and delighted to be a part of Beyond The Title and super excited to see it develop from the incredible podcast to the live shows touring around theatres up and down the country."

Josh has been running his podcast Beyond The Title for around five years and last year he released a book entitled Beyond The Title: The Yearbook, celebrating his favourite guests. In doing this, he realised the potential in taking his podcast on tour and quickly gained the support of the comedy legend Arthur Smith.

As a huge fan of British comedy, Josh was delighted when the Alternative Comedy pioneer agreed to become the subject of Beyond The Title’s first show at London’s Museum of Comedy on Saturday 2nd October.

On the prospect of working with Arthur Smith, Josh said: “It’s an extraordinary thing that I’ve grown up as a fan of Arthur Smith and when I was listening to his great Radio 2 show as a teenager I had absolutely no idea that twenty years later I would be doing a show with him.”

Meanwhile speaking about his thoughts on the show, Arthur Smith remarks: “I am relishing the chance to reflect on my long and ridiculous career and I know Josh will be a superb interviewer as we laugh together along the way."

Josh was conscious that he wanted to do a show here on the Isle of Wight where he has a loyal audience, this has resulted in the second show in what he hopes is just the start of Beyond the Title on Tour. The prospect of a show with ventriloquist, Steve Hewlett, at Gurnard Pines on Saturday 16th October is a proud accolade for the writer who grew up in Cowes.

Steve Hewlett made it to the final of Britain’s Got Talent in 2013. Yet what people might not know is that Steve is also one of Britain’s leading variety historians and is the patron of the Max Miller Appreciation Society. A proud member of The Grand Order of Water Rats, Steve lives and breathes variety and is always championing the entertainers of the past.

The show will also feature Steve’s celebration of the great ventriloquists from Peter Brough and Archie Andrews to Keith Harris and Orville with additional tributes to Steve’s mentor and comedy hero Ken Dodd.

To book your tickets to Beyond The Title Presents...An Evening With Steve Hewlett, live at Gurnard Pines on Saturday 16th October, visithttps://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/beyond-the-title-presents-an-evening-with-steve-hewlett-tickets-148039099933

With future shows already in the pipeline for 2022, the future looks bright for Josh and Beyond The Title.

Writer with Cerebral Palsy Takes Podcast on the Road

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