It’s taken me 10 years to become an official VIP guest at the British Comedy Awards but it was well worth the wait. The show kicked off with an awesome display of indoor fireworks which meant that the insurance bill alone must has scaled the financial heights with a room full of talent – imagine if Joan Collins had gone up in flames! Or Sir Ben Kingsley!
Host ‘Wossy’ was having a field day with inappropriate references to the current enquiry into his former employers, the BBC, only to be superseded by Ali G who even accredited his gold tracksuit branding to the ‘house of Savile’. Yes, all forms of life were represented from the low rent to the highbrow.
Surprises came in the form of two awards for Julia Davis’s darkly sexual comedy Hunderby contrasted with the inevitability of Harry Hill’s fourth British Comedy Award and seventh nomination in a row.
I was delighted that the wondrous Jo Brand was recognised as Best Female TV Comic this year – a great follow up to Best Comedy Actress last year for Getting On, with this year’s same award going to the brilliant Rebecca Front for her portrayal of an unravelling politician in The Thick of It.
Newcomer Morgana Robinson’s diligence and creativity won her recognition as Best Comedy Breakthrough Artist, an anomaly as a TV presence is usually a manifestation of at least five years hard labour at the comedy coalface. Her Very Important People mixed sharp scripts with grotesquely accurate impersonations. Our crew were treated to a ‘Natalie Cassidy’ moment back stage!
It was fun being part of the audience this year and we were in good company with Amanda and Kyra from our wonderful main Award sponsor Benefit Cosmetics. After last night we’re all inspired to see what brand new female comedy we can discover next year. Perhaps they – along with Sarah Millican, Anna Crilly, Katy Wix and Kerry Godliman, who all took part in the Funny Women Awards and were guests at last night’s ceremony – will be taking their place in the comedy hall of fame in the years to come.
Lynne Parker, VIP
It was great to be backstage at the British Comedy Awards and see some real celebrity A listers – Joan Collins, Cuba Gooding Jnr., John Lithgow and Sir Ben Kingsley, and we took great pride in asking the important questions, like if Joan Collins had any Snickers bars on her! There was a surprising amount of feminist talk too, with Lee Mack at one point declaring 'Of course I'm a feminist!' but that's only to be expected, really.
This year was particularly good for women, with Julia Davis and Morgana Robinson both getting the recognition they deserve, not only for their acting, but their comedy writing too. Julia Davis looked quite taken aback to be receiving two awards for Hunderby but as big fans of Nighty Night, we say it's well-deserved. And one of the best moments was definitely Morgana doing her 'Natalie Cassidy' for us!
Hannah Moulder and Amelia Wells, 'Back Stage' Press Area
See more backstage photos on the Funny Women facebook page HERE.
Pictured: Julia Davis, Sir Ben Kinglsey
