Biography

Steve Barlow

Steve Barlow is not Steve Barlow’s real name. His real name is Steve Lowe, but he couldn’t be Steve Lowe because playwright Stephen Lowe is already Steve Lowe, though his real name is Stephen Wright, but he couldn’t be Wright because Steven Wright was already Steven Wright, so Stephen Wright had to change his name to Stephen Lowe; so Steve Lowe couldn’t be Steve Lowe because Stephen Wright was already Stephen Lowe because Steven Wright was Steven Wright so Steve Lowe changed his name to Steve Barlow, all on account of Stephen Wright. Right? Why Barlow? ‘Cos it’s his mum’s maiden name. Aaaaah!

Steve Barlow was born in Britain (in Crewe, in the county of Cheshire). He went to Brierley Street School, which was like Bash Street only not as sophisticated, then to Crewe County Grammar School for Boys (and what kind of school feels the need, in its name, to remind its pupils what gender they are? Hmmm?). He went on to study at Warwick University and Nottingham University, and worked at various times as a teacher, actor, stage manager and puppeteer. Then he went to teach in Botswana, where a valid excuse for students not handing in their homework was ‘A goat ate it, sir!’. On his return to the UK he met Steve Skidmore, and the rest is hysteria.

Steve Barlow lives in Somerset with his wife Cathy. He likes walking, sailing, reading, listening to music and shouting at politicians on the telly.

Steve Skidmore

Steve Skidmore is shorter than Steve Barlow and less hairy. He was born in Birstall, near Leicester in England. After managing to pass some exams at school, he went on to Nottingham University to read English, but spent most of his time playing sport and doing a variety of summer jobs including counting pastry pie lids (yes, really).