The Funny Women Awards season is now in full flow and Funny Women HQ is a hive of activity.
We are now celebrating our 11th year on the hunt for great new female comedians. Already as part of the entertainment at the heats we’ve seen an entrant offer a piggyback to an audience member mid-song, rapping policemen, Italian cake making, mature underwear flashing and even simulated masturbation on a golf club. There's something for everyone at the Funny Women Awards!
Of course we have also seen plenty of traditional stand up. With more first round heats coming up in Brighton, Hull, Salford, London and Glasgow in the next three weeks, there’s still an opportunity to enter the Awards wherever you come from. Or, if you’re not a performer, why not come along and cheer on the next generation of female comedy talent? For tickets click HERE.
Having just returned from the Funny Women Awards heat in Dublin, our intrepid producer Isobel Matheson and her assistant Hannah Moulder have been hugely impressed by the great response the entrants have had so far and the supportive atmosphere backstage. Isobel tells us: “We always try to create a sense of camaraderie between the entrants so it's friendly backstage.”
Many of the entrants performing in the Funny Women Awards heats are on stage for the first time. "It's one of the things that makes the Awards so exciting." Isobel explains: “I love the uncertainty of it. I love the rawness, seeing people on their first, second or third gig and being blown away. I genuinely enjoy all the acts.”
It's not just the Funny Women Team who enjoy the night. 2013 entrant Sonia Aste told us: "The Funny Women Awards are the best contest I have been in by a long way; superb organization, great atmosphere and it was wonderful to see acts we were all supporting one another.” We had a little group hug, high five and toasted ourselves with a shandy booze when we heard that!
And if you're still thinking about entering and worrying about a lack of experience this is what entrant Annabel O'Connell had to say: “you run a fab night that I feel so confident to point people to do their first gig at. Always a lovely crowd and a warm reception.”
The Funny Women Awards are open to new female acts who have been performing comedy for up to five years. Whether you are a stand up, impressionist, sketch troupe, character or musical comic, a ventriloquist or magicians a double act or ensemble – as long as your act has a comedy twist there's room for you at the Funny Women Awards. As producer Isobel says: “It's all about giving it a go and I admire all the women that do.”
There's still time to enter the heats for Brighton, London, Glasgow and Hull, you can see a full list of Awards heat dates HERE.
Pictured, Top: Potential Awards winners? Bottom: Funny Women Awards producer Isobel Matheson
