I heard the sad news today about the death of Kris Hallenga, founder of the innovative breast cancer awareness charity, CoppaFeel, aged 38. Kris changed the landscape around checking our boobs and starting the preventative process young. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 27.
Funny Women worked with CoppaFeel back in 2013 on this very same day of the week and date, Tuesday 7th May, to produce an incredible comedy showcase called Tits and Giggles supported by our sponsor of five years, Benefit Cosmetics, (2012-2016).
As a tribute to Kris and her work with CoppaFeel, I’ve republished the review of our night, as featured on our previous website, in memory and celebration of a fearless, creative and truly amazing woman.
QUIPS AND GIGGLES: A ROUND UP
Tuesday night saw Funny Women hit the Bloomsbury Theatre for a night of giggles (and lots of tits) in aid of breast cancer charity CoppaFeel. With talented comics, Benefit make-uppers and the Funny Women and CoppaFeel team pairing up to flyer dressed as giant boobs (yes, really) it was definitely a night to remember. Legs Akimbo kicked off the evening with a catchy anthem about checking your boobs, supporting the cause in a suitably hilarious fashion.
The night was compered by 2006 Funny Women Awards winner Suzy Bennett, who’s genius material made her a fantastic host. From her escapades as a Madame Tussaud’s employee, to her invention of a ‘slanket’ maxi-dress (which actually made an appearance in the first half), Suzy kept us giggling throughout a lineup of top acts.
Having recently been seen on Russell Howard’s Good News, and with a hotly anticipated Edinburgh Fringe run this summer, Mae Martin’s sweet but eloquent set was wryly observed and expertly delivered. From fancying her sixth grade teacher to disappointing Christmas dinners in a Norfolk Weatherspoons, it’s safe to say that she’s a rising star in the comedy world.
The brilliantly acerbic and deadpan Tiff Stevenson was a highlight of the first half, with material that had us wincing and laughing by turns. That Pair’s set managed to pack the laughs in, with internet dating anthem “Ten Mile Radius” and an exercise video sketch that left everyone full of both mirth and admiration for their stamina – for both insane exercise moves and an unfaltering Geordie accent.
Aisling Bea’s excellent cocktail of hiphop dance moves, observations on family life in Ireland and sudden “playing dead” drops to the floor firmly crowned her as one to watch. After winning 2012’s So You Think You’re Funny competition and her appearance on Channel 4’s Cardinal Burns, we’re sure to be seeing more of her in the near future.
After an interval of drinks and Benefit makeovers, Kris Hallenga took to the stage to help pick some lucky raffle winners. After been diagnosed with breast cancer at age 23, Kris was responsible for founding CoppaFeel to encourage young people to check their breasts, with the hope of beating late diagnosis of breast cancer. Having faced the challenges of her illness with a sense of humour and fun to raise awareness of her message, she was also the worthy recipient of last year’s Real Funny Women Award.
The second half of the night gave us not one, but two 2012 Funny Women Awards winners. Variety Award winner Sooz Kempner took to the keys to kick off Act Two. With songs about cheating footballers and Jim’ll Fix It, the darkness of her lyrics with her angelic voice was a superb juxtaposition. Our special guest ‘Marijana’ (also known as Gabby Best) gave us a taste of her Main Award winning material, with a special introduction to the Chelsea Health and Fitness Club and it’s celebrity guests (including ‘David Cameraman, leader of the Conservatories’!).
Nat Luurtsema covered the prats and pitfalls of being single – and struck the perfect balance between silly and sardonic. The tremendous Ellie Taylor, presenter of BBC Three’s Snog, Marry, Avoid and a Funny Women Awards 2011 semi-finalist, used her Essex background as a source of inspiration for her set. If you’ve ever wondered how an Essex accent would sound on your local GP, rest assured – it’s hilarious, and terrifying!
Ending the night was our headliner Russell Kane. Matching a stage presence brimming with energy with material that felt beautifully relaxed, his set covered everything from relationship blunders to fancying Nicole Scherzinger. Although we’re used to all-female bills at Funny Women, Russell did a fantastic job of following some very talented ladies – and was the perfect way to inspire a couple of our male Challengers who are about to perform comedy for the first time in their lives in Funny Women Challenge the Men on Thursday 13th June at Goldsmiths Hall in the City of London.
So there you have it – a top evening, with lots of tits and plenty of giggles. A huge thank you is due to all of our brilliant acts, and to everyone who came for helping us to have a laugh for a great cause. If you made it along, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!
Tits and Giggles took place at The Bloomsbury Theatre in London, on Tuesday 7th May 2013.
