Abby Howells is an award winning comedian and writer.

She was a founding member of female comedy collective Discharge and served as their Head Writer. She has written and performed in five shows for the collective with successful seasons in Wellington, Dunedin and Auckland.

Abby has written and performed several award winning plays for both radio and stage. Her play Crossbow Cat having been performed in Short and Sweet Festivals in Malaysia, the Philippines, Brisbane and Auckland. Crossbow Cat won both People’s and Judges Choice in the Auckland Festival.

Abby has toured New Zealand and the UK performing with Trick of the Light Theatre and their show Beards! Beards! Beards! This has included seasons at Circa Theatre in Wellington, Arts Festivals in Nelson, Hawkes Bay and Salisbury and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In 2017 her play Attila the Hun was performed as part of the Young and Hungry Festival.

Abby is represented by Auckland Actors and Playmarket.

★★★★ Wee Review Edinburgh "...a show like this is brought to life with such chaotic energy and gleeful indulgence in everything that makes you who you are. It’s a touching comedy show that reminds you to always find your own spotlight."

★★★★1/2 - Weekend Notes, Adelaide

"...the feeling you leave the theatre with is triumph.. ten out of ten" - Talia Parker, Craccum

"...Funny as hell and the sort of voice we desperately need... HarleQueen is one of my favourite shows this year." - Erin Harrington, Theatreview   

"A firecracker of a comic" - Backstage Christchurch

“Delightful, educational, meaningful, and most of all, hilarious.” - Kate Norquay, Art Murmurs

WINNER: Director's Award, NZ International Comedy Festival 2021

WINNER: Emerging Artist, Adelaide Fringe 2020

WINNER: Best Comedy - Week Four 2020, Adelaide Fringe Festival

WINNER: Peter Harcourt New Playwright of the Year, Wellington Theatre Awards 2019

WINNER: Adelaide Tour Ready Award, New Zealand Fringe Festival 2019

COMMENDED: Green Light List, New Zealand Fringe Festival 2019

WINNER: Best Newcomer, NZ International Comedy Festival 2015