This year the Funny Women Awards Grand Final was back at the Bloomsbury Theatre where Mexican born, Amsterdam-based comedian Lara Ricote impressed our judging panel so much with her wit and physical comedy she was named the winner of this year’s Stage Award. We caught up with Lara to talk about her comedy and how it feels to win!
Funny Women: How does it feel to win the Funny Women Stage Award?
Lara Ricote: I’m over the moon about it. I didn’t expect all the lovely things that have come out of it already and it’s been four days since. It really feels so great to be validated by so many people and I’m so excited to see what comes next!
FW: How did you get into comedy?
LR: I started doing theatre in high school and I was always given the weird lanky characters who happened to be dead and I think what I was doing then was comedy. Then I took an improv class once I moved to Amsterdam and someone said that I should try stand up and I signed up and then gigs snowballed from there!
FW: Can you describe your comedy style to us?
LR: I think my style is pretty silly and physical and it usually has stories in it. I think there’s a lot of fun in moments when I’m expected to act a certain way, because it kind of always conflicts with how I want to, or how I think I should act. So that’s sort of what I tend to find jokes in.
FW: Any advice for people thinking about entering the Awards next year?
LR: Definitely apply! The women here are the nicest comics you’ll ever find. I had such a great time and had so much support from everyone around. Just the opportunity to perform in a packed room with so many funny ladies is a dream.
FW: Who are your favourite funny women?
LR: I think Maria Bamford and Sarah Silverman have to be my favourites, they’re both hilarious and smart and so themselves, I love everything they say. Sarah Silverman makes me laugh so hard I can’t tell if I’m laughing or crying. And Maria Bamford is the silliest, weirdest, most fun lady of all time.
