The journey to next week’s Funny Women Challenge the Men on Thursday 13th June has seen 12 businessmen thrown into the female crafted world of stand-up. And we have to say, we are impressed with the results. The Challengers have already collectively raised just under £9,000 for their chosen charities, and there’s no sign of the increase stopping any time over the oncoming week. Now we know that they can deliver the goods, the question still remains: can they deliver the funny?
As Lynne Parker, the founder of Funny Women and 'headgirl' of our impressive mentoring team, discusses in her Huffington Post article, the mentoring process has been an intriguing experiment. Some tough love (force!) was occasionally required to convey how the artistic sub genre of “banter” can be lost on an audience, with particular concern regarding the not-so-subtle use of erectile humour. But within a few weeks, things began to click for our male Challengers, something which is no surprise given the outstanding strength of our mentors. Though unconvinced at first, even some of our most stubborn contenders could not fault the pointers which the mentors provided for their material! So now we know that the only surprises will come from up their sleeves, and not from their pants, we’re definitely in for a treat!
The night is being held at the historic Barbers-Surgeons’ Hall, and will be hosted by Julia Streets, founder and director of Streets Consulting, and former Women’s Challenge champion and Daily Mail sex columnist Rowan Pelling, who have both proven to be hilarious comperes over the years. Drinks and canapés will be provided and there will also be a raffle, of which all of the proceeds will go to the Victoria Foundation to raise funds to provide toolkit grants for student doctors.
The Funny Women Team couldn’t be happier with how things have taken shape, and are excited to present some truly Funny Men. Let’s just hope that Ian Marshall’s predictions don’t come to life on the night. This is what he wrote in his latest blog: “There’s a fine line between being pumped up and ready to explode on stage…and just exploding…leaving a pool of warmish, brown, primeval fluid – where once there was a budding comic!”
For more information about the Challenge, Challengers, and mentors, click HERE. You can buy tickets HERE.
Kathleen Price
Photo: Ian Marshall, managing director of Benefit Cosmetics, at work with his mentor, Gabby Best, in full spontaneity.
