There are so any people that I didn’t get a chance to thank for their help with this year’s Funny Women Awards on Monday night. Some of them were in the programme but there’s nothing like saying it out loud. This is the next best thing.
A talented line up of acts, a well-attended and bustling VIP reception at the Groucho Club and then a full house at the Leicester Square Theatre. To top it all, we have a brilliant new set of clever and appreciative Awards winners who are ready to take on the comedy world.
The first lot of silent 'thank yous' go to my industry panel of promoters, producers, agents and broadcasters who gave of their time to help us select this wonderful line up of finalists. Top of my list is the fantastic Karen Rosie who recently left the BBC where she worked as a comedy producer. Karen has helped me with the Awards over five years now and her advice and judgement are always spot on.
Other notables include the fantastic Tom Barrie of Boom Tish!, Alison Cowan formerly of Comic Relief, Polly McGirr of Princess TV, Michael Buchanan Dunne of the BBC, Jon Grant of Red 24, and Lucy Timms who has worked with me on the last five years of Awards – all of whom helped Andrea, Niki, Lucy and me to select 13 finalists from 32 quarter finalists.
Thanks also go to some wonderful people who kept me going during this at times dramatic year – Julie Hall of Women Unlimited for her fantastic advice on social media, Hela Wozniak-Kay and Annie Brooks of Sister Snog for their wonderful network of great women, Lorna Votier and Graham Ball of The Victoria Foundation for sharing their office space with Funny Women and Caroline Geraerts of Star Turn who always shows up and sells raffle tickets so brilliantly!
I am so grateful to Charlotte Appleton and her fab team from Cora Media for the time they have taken to ensure that the final was filmed professionally, and to Clare Lomas for being our broadcast host – the results are yet to be aired on Funny Women TV but I can guarantee they'll be worth the wait.
Finally we were so privileged to work with Cancer Research UK on Race for Life this year. I know that I speak for the whole Funny Women Team and Suzy Bennett when I say that pictures speak louder than words – the messages on the backs of women taking part and the amazing costumes that the women wear to run, walk and jog in make these events so very special.
It has been a joy and a pleasure.
Lynne Parker
