LET US BE YOUR GUIDE…
Here at Funny Women HQ, we love Edinburgh Fringe for many reasons… not least because it's a chance to see some talented ladies before they hit the big time. You've got the opportunity to see some up-and-coming comedy queens at our two Funny Women Awards semi-final heats as part of our Pop-Up Fringe programme – but when it comes to the Awards, we're just as excited to catch up with some of our winners and finalists of previous years and see the brilliant shows they're bringing to the Festival. This week we're bringing you a special round-up with not one, not two, but three parts – giving you the lowdown on exactly where our alumni are now and what they're up to.
In today's guide, here's what to see if…
… You enjoy a sing-a-long
2010 runner up Rachel Parris’s beautiful voice should be at odds with her dark material, but that’s what makes her brand of musical comedy so unique. Spiky debut The Commission sees her dishing the dirt on the numbers she wanted to send in to the X Factor and the Disney Channel – and the song that broke her heart to write.
2007 finalist Katy Schutte joins forces with Tom Frankland and Jonathon Monkhouse for Who Ya Gonna Call, a musical comedy that pays tribute to Ghostbusters in an hour described as “The Reduced Shakespeare company meets Be Kind Rewind.” With lyrics penned by Katy too, this could easily become a cult classic.
… You’re a fan of multi-tasking
It takes blood, sweat and tears to take a successful comedy show to the Fringe – so imagine the dedication it takes to take up more than one. Believe it or not, that’s what several of our alumni are doing, popping up in multiple shows throughout August.
Nat Luurtsema’s brilliant hour of stand-up in Here She Be showcases her witty, deadpan stand-up style to perfection, but you can also catch her as part of sketch troupe Jigsaw along with Dan Antopolski and Tom Craine at the Pleasance Courtyard. And she’ll be appearing as a guest on Sam Deard’s Twice as Nice Comedy alongside a host of other big name and up-and-coming comedians.
Pippa Evans pairs up with Sanderson Jones for stand-up with an improv twist in Wonder & Joy at the Hive. Catch the duo a second time for two equally hilarious outings in The Sunday Assembly at New Empire Bingo on the 11th and 18th of August.
Susan Calman is perhaps our busiest alumnus, with solo show Always (A Work in Progress) showing at The Stand III & IV. She’ll also be appearing as a guest on BBC radio as part of MacAuley and Co., and will be featuring as part of The Comedian's Comedian Live with Stuart Goldsmith and Fast Fringe.
Trying in vain to stuff your Ghostbuster outfit into your suitcase? Join us tomorrow for our final Funny Alumni roundup, where we'll be filling you in on the best acts to see if you fancy a break from the Scottish weather, want to take a trip down memory lane, or are just exhausted by all that stand up…
Pictured: Rachel Parris, Nat Luurtsema, Susan Calman
