Magazine | November 2011

Showing 1 to 5 of 17 articles.

Let's hear it for the girls!

30th November 2011

The girls are on an equal footing in this year's British Comedy Awards! In the running for King or Queen of Comedy are Jo Brand, Miranda Hart and Sarah Millican, who's chances of the main prize are pitched against the equally strong talents of David Mitchell, Graham Norton and Jack Whitehall.

Speaking about the nominations, Funny Women founder, Lynne Parker, who is a member of the British Comedy Academy, says: "It's brilliant to see an equal number of women in a shortlist for such a prestigious award. Miranda Hart won the hearts of the nation last year with the People's Choice Award, which is chosen by public vote, so the precendent is…

Where are the female topical comedy writers?

29th November 2011

Where are the topical female comedy writers? This is an issue that’s been in the news over the past week, with both Private Eye and the producers of Mock The Week having come under criticism for not employing enough women.

This was the topic of discussion at the recent Writer’s Guild event ‘That’s (not) Enough Women’. The evening was chaired by Susan Calman, regular on Radio 4’s News Quiz and general topical-comedian-about-town, and featured other industry panellists who asked the question: why aren’t more women trying to become topical comedy writers?

Panellist Andrea Mann recently wrote an excellent article for the Huffington …

28th November 2011

If you're happen to be in Funny Women's home town of Richmond upon Thames this Friday 2nd December and notice ladies in elaborate frocks and men in top hats plus horse drawn carriages and omnibuses, don't worry, you won't have accidentally travelled back in time. For the first time in 10 years, the Victorian Evening returns to Richmond, with its traditional procession, period costumes and fun for the whole family. The event has been coordinated by local charity, The Victoria Foundation, to raise awareness and funds for local causes, as well as entertain the community.

A plethora of events will be running between 5.00 and 9.30pm across George Street, Hill Ris…

Help complete important survey on female comedy

23rd November 2011

Please help us support Kerry Hopkins who is in the midst of her study into female comedy as part of her Masters in Television (comedy) at City University.

The response to Kerry's original questionnaire has been overwhelming and she now needs your help to complete her research.

If you've already taken part:

Kerry has now broadened her research out to female comedy performers rather than just stand up acts and this may have altered your response as to the famous females you named so please could you give her three more names if this is the case. For example, Miranda Hart is highly visible at the moment but you may not have included her. You c…

22nd November 2011

Should working for powerful women come with a government health warning?

Powerful women at the top of their fields are often accused of being rather more coldblooded than their male counterparts, striking fear into the hearts of people who work beneath them - a phenomenon known as the “Queen Bee”. One only has to think of Meryl Streep’s steely gaze as an amplified version of Vogue Editor Anna Wintour in 'The Devil Wears Prada' and you get the idea. And if the upcoming Margaret Thatcher biopic is anything to go by, Meryl sure loves these indomitable women.

So what makes a Queen Bee? And is it necessary to stomp on a few drones to be top of the h…