The Manchester-based Women in Comedy festival will host nearly 80 shows across the city from 3rd to 13th October. Now in its 13th year the festival goes from strength to strength in supporting cis women, and those who identify as women, in the comedy industry.
This year the festival will give out awards for the ‘best show’ and ‘best new act’ for the first time, sponsored by Jason Manford and Manford’s Comedy Clubs. The winners will receive cash prizes of £500.
‘We are delighted to be able to finally announce these awards, ones that will recognise and reward the great talent the festival showcases,’ says festival director Jessica Toomey. ‘Yet again we’re bringing another fantastic programme of shows across many fantastic venues in Manchester City Centre and continue to champion and support women in comedy.’
Who’s on?
The line up this year is as fantastic as it is varied! Highlights include:
The launch of The Glitter Project – A Safe Place on Sunday 6th October, the first weekend of the festival. This is Funny Women’s groundbreaking initiative for anybody interested in taking part in comedy at grassroots providing ‘a safe place’ for female identifying performers, writers and creators to meet up, get advice and perform in an ‘open mic’. This is the first of a series of regular events taking place over the next six months at the Frog and Bucket Comedy Club and five other locations in England.
Erin Jackson’s star is fast rising on the New York comedy scene, she has numerous writing credits to her name and recently made her Netflix debut with a stand up special as a part of Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready.
Fresh from critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Nina Gilligan brings her show Goldfish.
Risky, confessional stand up from presenter turned comedian Tej Dhutia with TMI (Too Much Information).
Gay and working class (she likes bringing it up!) Mancunian with Armenian heritage Soph Galastein with I’m Worried If Not.
Stopping by on a national tour is the magnificent Laura Lexx with Slinky.
All Killa No Filla podcast heroine and proud Manc Rachel Fairburn appears with a ‘best of’ show.
Ola Labib guides us through her Sudanese upbringing in Portsmouth in her debut show POLArising.
If you want to know what it’s like living with a comedian check out Lori Smith’s work in progress show ChuckleF*cker (she’s married to Paul Smith).
Local superstar Hayley Ellis has already sold out her ‘work in progress’ show but she is touring so look out for tickets.
There are also a number of compilation shows, a special all female edition of the Beat the Frog World Series heat and a podcast for that in-between-shows moment!
History
The Women in Comedy Festival was founded in 2012 by Hazel O’Keefe who at the time was running the all-female comedy club, Laughing Cows and is now a patron of the festival. Jessica Toomey, director of the Frog and Bucket Comedy Club and FAB Comedy Management now runs the festival alongside Aimee Perry.
Other festival patrons include actor Maxine Peake, along with comedians Jo Enright, Isy Suttie, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Dana Alexander and Susan Calman; and our very own Funny Women founder, Lynne Parker.
‘Funny Women has supported the festival since it began in 2012 and it’s an honour to be a patron,’ says Lynne. ‘Jessica, Aimee and the Frog team are a big part of our community and we’re proud to be involved again. Plus it’s the perfect place to launch The Glitter Project.’
For more information and to book shows visit www.womenincomedy.uk.
