As temperatures in Brighton soared on Sunday, tensions also reached boiling point within the Funny Women camp, or at the very least, the inside of Lynne’s car. Helicopters are an excessive mode of transport but Lynne could have done with being rescued by one as she found herself marooned in traffic that was moving with all the speed of the sun-bathers on Brighton beach that afternoon.
With but two minutes to go before the competition heat started Lynne made it to Brighton’s Komedia, not in the mood to start seeing the funny side of things. Fortunately, our fantastic assistant Cara Cummings had strangely put her faith in public transport some hours earlier and arrived at the venue on time, setting up the show, alongside Poppy Kavanagh and our friends at Komedia, with a speed and energy that no one should ever have to expend in such intense heat – many, many thanks to Cara, Poppy and Komedia for saving the day!
Despite the sweltering temperature and frantic start it was one of our best heats yet with a fantastic crowd for our 14 contenders. The ever-energetic (whatever the weather!) Miss London compered while Brighton-based Annabel Giles – and last year’s Funny Women semi-finalist – did a great set. Thanks also to the wonderful Katherine Ryan who opened the show under pretty pressurised circumstances.
Rhona McKenzie has a baby
Congratulations to last year’s Funny Women finalist Rhona McKenzie who gave birth to Ruby Drew Lang on May 1st. Ruby obviously couldn’t wait to meet her funny mum as she arrived four weeks early, much to Rhona’s surprise who was quoted as saying, while high on NHS drugs, “I shoudn’t be here yet! I’m in Prima today and I’ve just bought a sofa!”
Tired of her mum’s jokes already
Yes, Rhona really is in this month’s Prima, alongside two other finalists from last year, Catherine Semark and Elizabeth Mee, so do please buy a copy.
