Funny Women Explained

Funny Women is an online and in-person workshop community dedicated to the support of female comedians. It was founded by Lynne Parker in 2002^[1] as a reaction to misogynistic comments from a comedy promoter.^[2] Funny Women helps women find their voice, promote them, and assists charities.

During the 2019 Funny Women Awards Final, Funny Women announced that their new Patron (renamed Matron), would be Jo Brand.^[3]

Live events

Funny Women runs "Stand Up to Stand Out" comedy workshops hosted by Parker.^[4]

In 2013, Funny Women hosted the first Workshop Weekend at the women-only business club B.Hive in Covent Garden. This comprised two days of intensive comedy and confidence training, including a Stand-Up to Stand Out comedy workshop run by Lynne Parker, an improvisation workshop facilitated by Courtney Cornfield, writing for radio hosted by Paul Dodgson and character creation with Hattie Naylor.

Funny Women also hosts regular comedy showcases in London and Brighton; residencies include comedy venues at the Leicester Square Theatre and Komedia. Following a successful trial at the Richmond Literature Festival, Funny Women is now also branching out into literary festivals with a new format discussing writing female comedy with a panel of writers and performers.

Website

The Funny Women website contains a ‘magazine’ containing opinion pieces,^[5] podcast reviews & recommendations,^[6] live show critiques and actively encourages submissions from budding writers wanting to sharpen their comedy writing skills and get online presence for their work. They also offer feedback and help develop the writers of the future.

The Funny Women Awards

The Funny Women Awards^[7] were launched in 2003. Contestants include female talents such as Bridget Christie, Susan Calman, Katherine Ryan, Andi Osho, Kerry Godliman, Sara Pascoe, Zoe Lyons, Holly Walsh and Sarah Millican.^[8]

The Awards have attracted national television and radio coverage (Richard & Judy, This Morning, The Culture Show), and national press (The Guardian, The Times, The Telegraph). The Awards have also been featured as a series of podcasts with The Sun (semi final, final), and footage from the 2007 final at the Comedy Store, London is featured on the Paramount Comedy website.

Due to the numbers entering, this competition has three stages. Heats take place over April, May and June and from these heats, 20 acts are selected. Four semi-finals are held in Brighton, Manchester, London and Edinburgh and from these, ten acts are selected to go through to the final. Previous venues include Leicester Square Theatre and Kings Place in London.

It was announced at the 2019 Funny Women Awards that Jo Brand would be the Patron of Funny Women. The prize for the Stage Award 2019 would include mentoring from Brand.^[9]

2023

Source:^[10]

Stage Award Finalists

• Kate Cheka (Winner)^[11]
• Hannah Platt^[12] (Runner-up)
• Victoria Comedy^[13] (Runner-up)
• Blank Peng
• Charlie Vero-Martin
• Nikola McMurtrie
• Rachel Baker
• Sascha LO
• Su Mi
• Tal Davies

2022

Source:^{[14] [15]}

Stage Award

• Lorna Rose Treen (winner)
• Marjolein Robertson (2nd)
• Jessie Nixon (3rd)
• Anshita Koul (finalist)
• Fathiya Saleh (finalist)
• Julia Stenton (finalist)
• Kate Martin (finalist)
• Leah Davis (finalist)
• Sharlin Jahan (finalist)
• Tatty Macleod (finalist)

Comedy Writing Award

• Ruby Carr (winner)
• Nicki Lucas (finalist)
• Ellie Silver (finalist)

Comedy Shorts Award

• Lorna Rose Treen (winner)
• Lorelei Mathias (finalist)
• Sarah Grant & Katrina Allen (finalist)

Industry Award

• Amy Annette (winner)
• Anna Leong Brophy (finalist)
• Hannah George (finalist)

Content Creator Award

Source:^[16]

• Chan Wills (Chanel Williams) (winner)
• Anne Crowther (Christiana Brockbank)
• Bluenbroke (Kate Harding)
• Cocosarel
• Castmeimjane (Jane Postlethwaite)
• Katerina Robinson
• Martha Writes (Martha Macdonald)
• Mrs Smith Says It
• Nikola McMurtrie
• Quirks & Foibles (Amy, Amelia, Katie)
• Rants and Big Pants (Neens and DB)
• Rosie Holt
• Sooz Kempner
• Stacey Annor
• The Sugarcoated Sisters
• Thenjiwe Comedy

2021

Source:^[17]

Stage Award

• Lara Ricote (winner)
• Bronwyn Sweeney (runner-up)
• Ola Labib (runner-up)
• Abby Wambaugh (finalist)
• Amelia Stubberfield (finalist)
• Beau Holland(finalist)
• Caitlin Powell(finalist)
• Louisa Keight (finalist)
• Natalie Bellingham(finalist)
• Sharon Wanjohi (finalist)

Comedy Writing

• Kathryn Bond
• Sophie Duker

Comedy Shorts Award

• Ada Player

Content Creator Award

• Hayley Morris

2020

Source:^[18]

• Izzy Askwith (winner) ^[19]
• Mary O’Connell (runner-up)
• Eryn Tett (runner-up)^[20]
• Naomi Cooper (finalist)
• Katie Green (finalist)
• Ania Magliano (finalist)
• Fiona Ridgewell (finalist)
• Christina O’Sullivan (finalist)
• Victoria Olsina (semi-finalist)
• Taran O’Sullivan (semi-finalist)
• Suchandrika Chakrabarti (semi-finalist)
• Olivia Flood-Wylie (semi-finalist)
• Kathy Maniura (semi-finalist)
• Karen Hobbs (semi-finalist)
• Gillian Fitzgerald (semi-finalist)
• Ambika Mod (semi-finalist)

2019

• Laura Smyth (winner)^[21]
• Sian Davies (runner-up)
• Charlie George (runner-up)
• Sarah Mann (finalist)
• Liz Guterbock (finalist)
• Helena Langdon (finalist)
• Kemah Bob (finalist)
• Shelf (finalist)
• Jen Ives (finalist)
• Celya AB (finalist)

2017–18

• Thanyia Moore (winner)^[22]
• Chloe Petts (runner-up)
• Susan Riddell (runner-up)
• Jodie Mitchell (finalist)
• Lily Phillips (finalist)
• Amy Mason (finalist)
• Louise Young (finalist)
• Megan Shandley (finalist)
• Maisie Adam (finalist)

2016

• Harriet Braine (winner)^[22]
• Catherine Bohart (finalist)
• Rose Robinson (finalist)
• Rosie Jones (finalist)
• Rivka Uttley (finalist)
• Micky Overman (finalist)

2015

• Desiree Burch^[23] (winner)
• Helen Monks (runner-up)
• Sarah Keyworth (runner-up)
• Christine Entwisle (Comedy Writing Award)
• Rachel Marwood (Comedy Shorts Award)
  • Jane Postlethwaite^[24] (finalist)
  • Julie-Anne Meaney (finalist)
  • Kate Kennedy (finalist)
  • Maggy Whitehouse (finalist)
  • Rosana Bosanac (finalist)
  • Sophie Duker (finalist)
  • Tamar Broadbent (finalist)

2014

• Jayde Adams^[25] (winner)

• Aine Gallagher (runner-up)
• Lauren Pattison (runner-up)
• Heffernan & Fletcher (Comedy Writing Award)
• Sally Cancello (Comedy Shorts Award)
  • Massive Dad (finalist)
  • Samantha Baines (finalist)
  • Robyn Perkins (finalist)
  • Hawkeye & Windy (finalist)
  • Faye Daniels (finalist)
  • Pauline Shanahan (finalist)
  • Hannah Banana (finalist)

2013

• Twisted Loaf (winner)
• Katie Lane (runner-up)
• Elf Lyons (runner-up)
• Reven & Fennell (Variety Award)
• Cassie Pope (Comedy Writing Award)
• Alex Maher for 'Hope And Gloria' (Best Show Award)
  • Rachel Gleaves (finalist)
  • Bisha Ali (finalist)
  • Tevashnee (finalist)
  • Rachel Slater (finalist)
  • Bethan Roberts (finalist)
  • Becky Brunning (finalist)
  • Sindhu Vee (finalist)
  • Saskia Preston (finalist)
  • Dotty Winters (finalist)

2012

• Gabby Best (winner)^[26]
• Niamh Marron (runner-up)
• Katie Tracey (runner-up)
• Suzanna Kempner (Variety Award)
• Sarah Courtauld (Comedy Writing Award)
  • Abi Tedder (finalist)
  • Alice Frick (finalist)
  • Amy Gledhill (finalist)
  • Cerys Nelmes (finalist)
  • General Advice Bureau (finalist)
  • Lucy Frederick (finalist)
  • Lucy Montague-Moffatt (finalist)
  • Sofie Hagen (finalist)
  • The Silky Pair (finalist)
  • Viv Groskop (finalist)

2011

• Lara A King (winner)
• Katherine Bennett (Second)
• Bekka Bowling (Third)
• Ladies Live Longer - Louise Fitzgerald and Victoria Temple-Morris (Variety Award)
  • Gabriella Burnel (finalist)
  • Mel Moon (finalist)
  • Sadia Azmat (finalist)
  • Emily Lloyd-Saini (finalist)
  • Vanessa Bland(finalist)
  • Kerry Gilbert(finalist)
  • Sarah Callaghan(finalist)
  • Checkley & Bush(finalist)
  • Janet Bettesworth (finalist)

2010

• Thankless Child - Liz Black and Freya Slipper (winner)
• Julia Clark (Second)
• Rachel Parris (Third)^[8]
• Gemma Whelan (Variety Award)
  • Lindsay Jarman (finalist)
  • Jess Fostekew (finalist)
  • Clare Lomas (finalist)
  • Sarah Hendrickx (finalist)
  • Iona Dudley-Ward (finalist)
  • Alison Thea-Skot (finalist)
  • Abigoliah Schamaun (finalist)
  • Helen Arney (finalist)

2009

• London Hughes as "Miss London" (winner)
• Eve Webster (Second)
• Jo Selby (Third)
  • Charlie Covell (finalist)
  • Tania Edwards (finalist)
  • Giado Garofalo (finalist)
  • Domestic Goddi (finalist)
  • Rhona McKenzie (finalist)
  • Elizabeth Mee (finalist)
  • Catherine Semark (finalist)
  • Marie Vagen (finalist)
  • Katarina Vrana (finalist)

2008

• Katherine Ryan (winner)^[8]
• Sara Pascoe (runner-up)^[8]
• Rachel Stubbings (runner-up)^[8]
  • Sarah Campbell (finalist)
  • Pippa Evans as Loretta Maine (finalist)
  • Rachel Fairburn (finalist)
  • Girl and Dean (finalist)
  • Rowena Haley (finalist)
  • Gráinne Maguire (finalist)
  • Elaine Malcolmson (finalist)

2007

• Andi Osho (winner)^[8]
• Joanne Lau (2nd place)
• Sharon Mannion (3rd place)^[8]
  • Isma Almas (finalist)
  • Emily Haworth Booth (finalist)
  • Victoria Cook (finalist)
  • Nat Luurtsema (finalist)
  • Missman (Lisa Alabaksh) (finalist)
  • Katie Mulgrew (finalist)
  • Katy Schute (finalist)

2006

• Suzy Bennett (winner)^[8]
• Diane Morgan (2nd)
• Christina Martin (3rd)
  • Susan Calman (finalist)^[8]
  • Holly Walsh (finalist)
  • Martine Pepper (finalist)
  • Liz Carr (finalist)^[8]
  • Maggie Gordon-Walker (finalist)
  • Sonya Kelly (finalist)
  • Rosie Wilby (finalist)

2005

• Debra Jane Appleby (winner)^[8]
• Sarah Millican (runner-up)^[8]
• Ruth Bratt (runner-up)^[8]
  • Wendy Wason (finalist)
  • Steph Baker (finalist)
  • Julie Jepson (finalist)
  • Jude Mahon (finalist)
  • Emma Fryer (finalist)
  • Becky Love (finalist)
  • Helen Keen (finalist)

2004

• Zoe Lyons (winner)
• Anna Crilly (runner-up)
• Janice Phayre (runner-up)
  • Bridget Christie (finalist)
  • Roisin Conaty (finalist)
  • Lindzi Germain (finalist)
  • Susan Hanks (finalist)
  • Sarah Ledger (finalist)
  • Millie & Tillie (finalist)

2003

• Sarah Adams as Jade the Folk Singer (winner)
• Anna Keirle (runner-up)
• Ria Lina (runner-up)
• Kerry Godliman (Highly Commended)
  • Karen Bayley (finalist)
  • Jo Jo Sutherland (finalist)
  • Katy Wix (finalist)
  • Helen Kane (finalist)
  • Debs Gatenby (finalist)
  • Brandy Borr (finalist)

Charity

Funny Women works with organisations that represent aspects of women's wellbeing. It Women has raised awareness and over £70,000 for Refuge, Womankind Worldwide, Rise UK, The Victoria Foundation, Women's Aid, V-Day, ActionAid, Ovarian Cancer Action, the YWCA, Jo's Trust and the Bristol Cancer Help Centre.

Collections

The University of Kent holds an material relating to Funny Women as part of the British Stand-Up Comedy Archive.^{[27] [28]} The collection includes material relating to the Funny Women Awards, audiovisual recordings and promotional material for the network.

See also

• List of media awards honoring women

External links

• • Funny Women Collection at University of Kent

Notes and References

1. Web site: About Us. Funny Women. en-GB. 2020-04-13.
2. Web site: Why I set up Funny Women. Parker. Lynne. Funnywomen.com. 5 September 2015.
3. Web site: Laura Smyth wins Funny Women Award : News 2019 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide. Bennett. Steve. www.chortle.co.uk. en. 2020-04-13.
4. News: My bid to become a standup comic. Pool. Hannah. The Guardian. 15 August 2010. 5 September 2015.
5. Web site: Features Archives. Funny Women. en-GB. 2020-04-13.
6. Web site: podcasts Archives. Funny Women. en-GB. 2020-04-13.
7. Web site: Funny Women Awards - Funny Women. 29 July 2017.
8. Web site: Guide . British Comedy . 2016-04-18 . Funny Women Awards . 2022-08-07 . British Comedy Guide . en.
9. Web site: Laura Smyth wins Funny Women Award : News 2019 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide. Bennett. Steve. www.chortle.co.uk. en. 2019-09-27.
10. Web site: Women . Funny . 2023-09-05 . FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2023 STAGE AWARD SUPPORTED BY NEXT UP COMEDY. . 2023-09-06 . Funny Women . en-GB.
11. Web site: Women . Funny . 2023-09-29 . 2023 Funny Women Awards Winners Announced! . 2023-09-29 . Funny Women . en-GB.
12. Web site: Hannah Platt . 2023-09-06 . individualam . en.
13. Web site: Victoria Olsina Named Finalist for 2023 Funny Women Stage Award - Victoria Olsina: Stand Up Comedian . 2023-09-06 . victoriaolsinacomedy.co.uk/ . en-US.
14. Web site: Funny Women Awards 2022 Results. 30 September 2022.
15. Web site: The Stage is Set for 2022 Funny Women Awards. 23 September 2022.
16. Web site: Meet Our Shortlist: Heat Content Creator Award 2022. 23 September 2022.
17. Web site: 2021 Funny Women Awards Winners Announced!. 24 September 2021.
18. Web site: 2020-08-04. 2020 Stage Awards Semi-finalists Announced!. 2020-12-18. Funny Women. en-GB.
19. Web site: 2020-09-28. Meet 2020 Funny Women Awards Winner Izzy Askwith!. 2020-12-18. Funny Women. en-GB.
20. Web site: RBM . 2022-08-07 . www.rbmcomedy.com.
21. Web site: Laura Smyth wins Funny Women Award : News 2019 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide. Bennett. Steve. www.chortle.co.uk. en. 2019-09-27.
22. Web site: Funny Women Awards- All the winners and finalists ever. 2012-10-01. Funny Women. en-GB. 2019-09-27.
23. Web site: This is Desiree Burch, the funniest woman of the year. 2 October 2015. 29 July 2017.
24. Web site: Funny Women Alumni Picks. Funny Women. 11 January 2016. 2016-01-28.
25. Web site: Not just a funny face: Funny Women Awards winner Jayde Adams interview. 2 October 2014. 29 July 2017.
26. News: Less a nation of shopkeepers, more a land of stand-ups. Pelling. Rowan. The Daily Telegraph. 25 September 2012. 5 September 2015.
27. Web site: University of Kent Special Collections & Archives . Funny Women Collection . 2024-05-15 . University of Kent Special Collections & Archives Catalogue.
28. Web site: 2021-12-06 . Funny Women Collection . 2024-05-15 . Special Collections and Archives - University of Kent . en-GB.