It may be grey and miserable outside, but if you’re in Manchester, there’s no reason not to be smiling. Laughing Cows have collaborated with many other female comedy producers to put together the very first UK Women In Comedy Festival, which runs throughout October. With more talented comics than you can shake a stick at, along with workshops, open mics and practical advice, it’s a must-visit for anyone with an interest in female comedy.
Funny Women will be bringing their own Awards Showcase (with a lineup of our brilliant finalists) to the Festival on 24th October, along with a taster Comedy Workshop. But, if you’re heading up to Manchester before then, there’s plenty to see and do. If the choice is overwhelming, never fear – here’s our second part of our UK WICF lowdown, which gives you the inside scoop on what to see from now until the 20th …
Throughout the Festival, Funny Women Awards alumni have been delighting audiences in venues all over Manchester, and we’re pleased to see that this week is no exception. First up, on Wednesday 16th October, 2007 finalist Katie Mulgrew Faffs About in her (aptly named) new work-in-progress (19:30-20:30, The Lass O’Gowrie). Tickets are just £4 and include entry to the brilliant Harriet Dyer’s Barking at Aeroplanes (20:30-21:30 in the same venue). With both comics producing stronger material year by year, this is a double bill not to be missed.
Head back to the Lass O’Gowrie on the 18th October to catch another alumnus – 2012 runner-up Katie Tracey appears alongside Isma Almas and Zoe Iqbal (19:00-21:30). If getting as much comedy for your buck as possible sounds like your idea of a good time, you can make a trip back to the Lass on the 19th October (19:30-20:30) for another triple-headed line-up, featuring Sarah Sheldon, Nalika de Silva and Athena Kugblenu, who forms one-third of Black Bird Comedy, one of our favourite London-based nights.
2006 finalist Rosie Wilby is a comedian very close to our hearts – she’s a regular host for Funny Women shows – and she’ll also be bringing an hour-long show to the Lass O’Gowrie on the 19th (21:00-22:00). 90s Woman, A Story of Rediscovery sees Rosie revisiting her York University days working on a handwritten feminist newspaper, Matrix. What became of the women of Matrix? Who did they grow up to be, and are they still fighting for the cause? And where did the 90’s take Rosie next? After the success of Is Monogamy Dead? at the Edinburgh Fringe this year, it’s worth watching this hour of hilariously nostalgic comedy to find out. If you’re already a huge Rosie Wilby fan, head over to the Lesbian and Gay Foundation before her Lass gig – she’ll have a brief stint performing with Bethany Black and Madge Hooks before her solo show (19:00-21:30).
And if all this comedy has left you seriously considering a change in career, this week has plenty to offer you on that front too. On Thursday 17th October, head to the Lass O’Gowrie for a very special workshop – The Accidental Business School, hosted by Rubystar Associates, describes itself as “award winning training advice for anyone who wants to make a living doing what they love, but hates the selling bit.” (18:00-20:00). Head back to the Lass on Sunday 20th October for a special open mic hosted by JoJo Smith and have a go onstage yourself – or watch other people do it, then stick around for a special set by JoJo herself immediately afterwards!
Exhausted already? Don’t worry, we’ll save the pick of the last week of the festival for next Monday – join us to get the lowdown on what to see, alongside the inside scoop on our Funny Women Awards workshop and showcase! To book tickets for both, make sure you visit our What's On page HERE.
The UK Women In Comedy Festival runs all over Manchester, 1-29th October. For more information and a full programme, visit their website HERE.
Pictured: Katie Tracey, Rosie Wilby
