If you are planning a trip to Edinburgh this August to check out the Fringe, Funny Women is here for you. We have a team of mentors, some friendly events and even legal advice if you need it. And all of this made possible thanks to being awarded a BBC Comedy Grant.
If you’re new to comedy, the world’s largest arts festival can be overwhelming. Which shows should I see? Are there open mics I can perform at? Where can I hang out with other comics, get a cheap meal, cry in private??!!
If you are a funny woman heading to the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time, Funny Women’s Glitter Project is here to support you.
We have spent 22 years supporting and developing new comedy talent at grassroots with our ground-breaking Funny Women Awards, workshops, courses and open mic events. Our priority has always been to build confidence in female performers, writers and creators to give them the opportunity to pursue comedy careers.
The Glitter Project is also supported by Russells, which has a proud, 50 year history of advising clients in the entertainment industry. Alice Rudge, senior associate at Russells says, “We are delighted to be supporting Funny Women at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival with The Glitter Project and grateful for the opportunity to support those bringing humour, and a little bit of glitter, into the world.”
Our inspiration for The Glitter Project is Jo Fletcher-Cross, one of our non-executive directors and comedian, who was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma brain tumour in summer 2022 on the eve of her Edinburgh debut. With Jo’s blessing we are creating an enduring legacy to encourage those who are already enjoying a glittering comedy career to pay it forward. Jo loves sparkly stuff and believes that everybody deserves a ‘bit of glitter’ in their lives. Read Jo’s Substack for background.
“I’m so fortunate to have worked alongside some incredible funny women throughout my career, in many different capacities'” says Jo. “All I have ever wanted to do is find joy, laughter and a bit of sparkle along the way in life and I’m so thrilled that The Glitter Project will help fabulous funny women with the tools, bravery and knowledge to keep the laughter going for many years to come.”
Speaking about the genesis for The Glitter Fund, Lynne Parker, founder of Funny Women says: “A longer-term goal is to create a Glitter Fund, an industry-wide initiative supporting those who don’t have the resources, accessibility, or financial means to pursue a comedy career.
“Over 22 years I’ve seen so many talented and amazing performers, writer and creators from our Awards and wider community events go on to have huge commercial success so this is an opportunity for us to come together, support new talent and ensure gender parity in our industry.”
OUR EVENTS PROGRAMME
Pre-Fringe Meet the Mentors online event – Tuesday 23rd July from 6.00pm – 7.00pm. Booking details here. Join us on Zoom to find out more about The Glitter Project before you head to Edinburgh.
Three in-person Meet the Mentors events during the Fringe in Edinburgh:
LAUNCH EVENT: Sunday 4th August – Gleneagles Townhouse 10.30am-1.00pm. Booking details here.
Monday 12th August, Bar 50 Garden Room, 11.15am-12.15pm. Booking details here.
Wednesday 21st August, Counting House Ballroom, 10.30-11.30am, Booking details here.
Two open mic comedy events during the Fringe in Edinburgh:
Wednesday 14th August, 8.00pm, Free Sisters Live Room.
Wednesday 21st August, 8.00pm, Free Sisters Live Room.
These will be run by our mentors, with priority given to acts who don’t have shows to promote at the Fringe. To request an open spot to perform please email fwtheglitterproject@gmail.com.
Huge thanks to Gleneagles Townhouse for hosting our launch, and Alex Petty of the Free Fringe Festival for finding us venues to host our events.
OUR LEAD MENTORS
Rachel Creeger has come up through the Funny Women ranks. Having been working in the comedy industry for years in other capacities, she had her first proper stand-up gig at Funny Women’s open mic and has gone from strength to strength with the organisation’s support. Now one of our non-excutuve borad members, Rachel makes a point of giving opportunities to other female and non-binary voices in the way she was supported.
This is Rachel’s 11th Fringe, she has been up as a writer, director, and reviewer as well as a performer. She has taken four critically acclaimed shows to Edinburgh, (and one that went nowhere but taught her much more), run and booked comedy clubs and events since 2011, taught comedy skills, and now works full time as a comedian on the circuit, TV and radio.
Bringing her second full run solo show to the Fringe, Louise Leigh is very much on home turf in this town, having spent her teenage years rampaging in the mean streets of the Scottish capital. She’s now Bristol-based and says running Funny Women gigs there “spawned a golden generation of brilliant women comics, who fearlessly advocate for themselves and each other.”
Louise believes community is everything in comedy and is keen that nobody from an under-represented community should have to learn about the business the hard way when the information could be easily shared by people who’ve already been there and done that.
Pauline Eyre is performing her first full run solo show at this year’s Fringe, having brought split shows with other comedians in 2018 and 2019. When Pauline first visited the Fringe in 2016, she asked another Funny Woman to mentor her. Cally Beaton was doing her first split show that year and taught Pauline how to put a show together, how to find the right performance space, how to market her show, how to flyer successfully and more. In the spirit of paying it forward, Pauline would like to share her knowledge of how it all works with you, the way Cally did for her.
Our mentors will be available throughout the Fringe to answer your questions, offer advice and TLC. You can email them here. And, if you would like to volunteer to be part of our wider community of mentors during the festival please get in touch with Rachel, Louise or Pauline and help us spread the love!
Picture credits: Jo Fletcher Cross by Mariana Feijo, Rachel Creeger by Ruth Bloch, Louise Leigh by Esme Buxton and Pauline Eyre by Steve Best. Glitter Project graphic by Roxy Jimenez.
