Tributes paid to Living Spit co-founder Howard Coggins

Paying tribute to his friend Howard Coggins, who has died at the age of 52, Living Spit co-founder Stu Mcloughlin wrote a long list of some of the many things that Howard both hated and loved.

A few of the things he hated included people who call actors “ac-TORS”, opera, rehearsals and ketchup.

Things he loved included dusk, dogs, succulent plants, Birkenstocks, being away in his camper van and Clevedon kebab shop Golden Grill.

Howard was born in Backwell and trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

He leaves behind his wife of 23 years, Kirstyn, and their 15-year-old daughter, Betty.

In his tribute to Howard, Stu wrote: “I was a young actor when I first met Howard in 1997, untrained, and wet behind the ears.

“We appeared together in Up the Feeder, Down the Mouth and Back Again, a musical about the history of Bristol’s docks and dockworkers.

“Howard took me under his wing, gave me advice and generously (considering I was nine years his junior) included me in any cast antics or banter that was going on.

“Later, in 2003, we appeared as the Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion, respectively, in The Wizard of Oz at the Hall for Cornwall.

“The Tin Man and Dorothy were doing a fair bit of mucking around onstage, which as professionally-minded people who cared deeply about the audiences experience, infuriated both Howard and I.

“We bonded over this shared irritation and spent many car journeys to and from the theatre ranting to each other about the injustice of it all.

“This was the beginning of the next 20 years of ranting to each other on car journeys about perceived injustices and things/people we found annoying.

“These are the things I will miss the most about Howard. The small, seemingly inconsequential exchanges that make up a friendship.

“I’ll miss him onstage every night, as a partner, but I’ll miss his friendship more. I’ll miss being able to text him a shit joke and have him reply with a laugh emoji, or a humorous retort of his own, eclipsing mine in its darkness and hilarity.

“Or throwing him an obscure line that I know only he will find funny. Indeed, it has often been said by our peers that we would seem to speak a private language with each other, full of in-jokes and oblique references, to the exclusion of all others.

“When you find someone you can share that sort of bond with, you cling to them, as I did, and relax in the comfort of each other.

“For me, being with Howard was like sliding on the most comfortable pair of slippers ever. I knew I could be a pure, unfiltered version of myself.

“Howard generously shared so much with me. His family, his career, his time, his humour, his musicality, his worries and cares, his likes and dislikes.

“If I was out of work, he would make inquiries and ask around, telling directors how good I was and that they should hire me.

“When I was dropped by my agent, he immediately called his and said ‘Stu’s unrepresented! Get him on your books!’ Which she did.

“I’ll miss making him laugh and I’ll miss him making me laugh. I’ll miss his hugs and his beautiful face.

“But aside from his effect on my life, Howard’s life has positively affected the lives of thousands of others. Through his work he has brought immeasurable amounts of laughter, warmth and joy

“He poured his heart into everything he did onstage. Watching him work, it was difficult not to feel your pain soothed, to feel your cares and worries melt away. He made it all ok, and the world is a darker place without him.

“In his last months, Howard expressed a wish that Craig, Trimmo, Ali and I continue Living Spit in his honour. So that’s what we’ll do. Every performance, every joke, every laugh, every tear, every song will be for him.

“Don’t fuck it up, Howard. And I’ll try not to be shit.”

Main photo: Living Spit

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