Last week saw another chapter in the development of the whole Funny Women Challenge concept that we first launched last year with our local charity partner, The Victoria Foundation. This time is was the turn of Sister Snog, a selective business club that connects like-minded women in business and beyond. Funny Women is a 'Looking-Glass-Sister' and gave it’s time to train and mentor the five Challengers.
Helping me to train our comedy virgins were several performers including impressionist and voice over supremo Kate O’Sullivan, singer and comic, Sara J Novak, and Bernie Morgan who is the CEO and founder of her own new business venture, Stealth Start Up Company. Sara and Bernie also performed on the night alongside their ‘students’.
“What a great evening it was – loads of fun and laughter,” comments Bernie. "It just proves business women are funny!”
Our host for the evening which took place at The Garrison, on Bermondsey Street, was the ever fabulous Jeni Barnett, a familiar face in the acting and presenting world who now hosts her own show on BBC London every Sunday morning. Jeni is famed for voicing her opinions but always with a twist of humour – she was the ideal host and kept everybody amused between acts with her own comic recollections and anecdotes.
First up was the brilliant Jill Bydawell, the 'Right-Hand-Woman' to Sister Snog's Annie Brooks. Jill comes from a long line of female raconteurs and distinguished herself early on by saying that all she needed for her stand up performance was a chair! Her armchair cosy and extremely humorous set featured tales of East End life – central casting for Eastenders, beware!
"The experience for me was fantastic," comments Jill. "It gave me confidence and making people laugh was a great pleasure. It's wonderful to have everyone say 'that was great, you were really funny'.
"The other Challengers were rib-tickling! They stepped up to the challenge and gave wonderful performances and they are all very funny women. Our mentors gave us direction and encouragement. True professionals who were more than generous with their time and experience. Big thanks to all."
Then it was the turn of Shazia Mustafa who runs Third Door, the UK’s first flexible workhub with an onsite Ofsted registered Nursery. Shazia was the least comfortable with performing but she did herself proud with some brilliant anecdotal material about her business and family life.
This challenge completely took me out of my comfort zone," said Shazia describing her experience. "I really found the whole process difficult but thoroughly enjoyable. I loved getting to know all the other ladies in the groups and most of all, I got over my fear and managed to get some laughs! Next time I get asked a tough interview question, I know I'll breeze it, it's got to be easier than doing stand-up!"
Challenger Annabel Kaye is director and co-founder of Irenicon, a team of specialist employment law and HR practitioners. “Words are my tools and my weapons when needed – but I also like to play. When not arguing or resolving disputes I can be found dancing Argentine tango or savoy swing.” Sadly we didn’t see Annabel swinging her savoy on the night but I think we might be seeing a bit more of Annabel on the circuit. She’s funny and certainly has all the necessary chutzpah to take it to the next level.
Speaking about her experience, Annabel said, “I don't know what I enjoyed most, the coaching, learning how to create, pace and time material, the wonderful women I met, the performance or what. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.”
Challenger Lisa Tesselaar is by day the marketing director of accountancy firm CBW. “I found out that comedy really can change your life – but only with a little bit of professional help!” she explains.
“Obviously it really does pay to not take life to seriously. I work in an industry which takes itself very seriously and so it’s useful that I bring fresh air and fun into the workplace. This is why the skills I learned during my experiences with Funny Women (and in particular, Bernie Morgan) will be invaluable. I will be able to use comedy as an additional tool for communicating with individuals and engaging them."
Annie Brooks is now one half of the newly created comedy duo ‘Lil & Vi’, and also the business ‘other half’ of Hela Wozniak-Kay with whom she set up Sister Snog, our hosts for the evening.
Talking about her Challenge experience, Annie said, “I love it that I’m facing so many new challenges at my revered age! I’ve never done stand-up before and I loved every minute of it. It was so much fun. The pre-performance nerves disappeared as soon as I realised I had so much dialogue to remember! I say have a go and have a laugh…oh and women are funny. Very funny.”
“Stepping up to the plate and entering the Funny Women Challenge has been a marvellous adventure and it’s only just beginning, said Hela. “I’m not quite sure where our double act will go. But as a result of performing in front of our members at The Garrison at Stand-Up with Sister Snog, Annie and I took it to the next level and entered The Funny Women Awards.”
Annie and Hela enjoyed the experience so much that they did indeed repeat their performance by taking part in a Funny Women Awards heat last night at the Leicester Square Theatre! They are setting a trend along with other past Challengers who’ve now got the ‘comedy bug’.
"We’ve now dipped more than a big toe in a new world, full of women who understand the power of wit, mirth and humour. Not quite sure where the journey will take us but I’m convinced each leg will open all manner of doors for us at Sister Snog. Music and Comedy will save the Economy. No kidding!”
Lisa Tesselaar also sums it all up rather well: “On a personal level, the experience has added another level to my presentation skills and my confidence! So, thanks Sisters!”
Thank you Lisa. I couldn’t have put it better myself!
Our next Funny Women Challenge takes place in Glasgow on Thursday 11th August in partnership with the 3rd1magazine.co.uk, see details HERE, and if you want to discuss working with us on a Challenge event with your organisation, please email us info@funnywomen.com.
Lynne Parker
