It’s been a hectic month up in Manchester; if you’ve been around the North West, you might have noticed there’s some comedy going on. A fair bit of comedy actually, thanks to Laughing Cows, who have collaborated with other female comedy producers (including Funny Women) to put together the very first UK Women In Comedy Festival. Throughout October, the city has been a mecca for anyone passionate about women in comedy – with workshops, open mics and practical advice taking over some of Manchester’s most recognizable venues.
This week Funny Women are finally hitting the Festival – so if you’re around on Thursday 24th October, make your way down to The Lowry to check out a double whammy of very special events. Our Stand Up to Stand Out workshops are one of the things we’re best known for – so we couldn’t visit Manchester without bringing one with us! Ever considering taking the stage yourself but haven’t worked up the courage yet? Perhaps you’re considering entering next year’s Funny Women Awards – or maybe you just want to see how the skills used in stand-up translate into every day life? Our taster Comedy Workshop will be taking place at The Lowry at 6:30pm – come along to learn the ropes in a friendly, supportive (yet still very funny) environment!
If our workshop’s given you the stand-up bug, don’t forget to stick around – we’ll be following it up with a 2013 Funny Women Awards Showcase at 8pm! Finalist Dotty Winters, runner-up Katie Lane, Best Show Award winner Alex Maher and Main Award winners Twisted Loaf will be taking the stage to tickle your funny bone and give you a glimpse of just some of the very talented women we’ve had the privilege of working with. Tickets for this event are just £5, and that gives you free entry to the workshop too – with two events for the price of one you’d be mad to miss it! Grab a ticket here while you still can…
Sadly, we’re only in Manchester for one day, but there’s plenty going on for you to round off the Festival in style. If you missed JoJo Smith’s solo outing at the Lass O’Gowrie last Sunday, don’t worry – you’ve got another chance to see her on Wednesday 23rd October at the King’s Arms (8:30pm-9:30pm). Stay at the same venue for a set from the brilliantly acerbic Tiffany Stevenson (10:00pm-11:00pm) – her dark and caustic sense of humour was one of our favourite parts of 'Tits and Giggles,' our fundraising gig for CoppaFeel! earlier this year. And Julie Jepson, one of our favourite Southern ladies, dazzled the Komedia crowds at our last Brighton Nights. She’ll be bringing her unmissable solo show 'Personal Triumph' to the King’s Arms on Saturday 26th October (8:30pm – 9:30pm).
Laughing Cows have been the brains behind the UK WICF, so it only seems fitting that they should round off the Festival in style. There’s three special Laughing Cows showcases over the last two days, so you’ve got a final chance to cram in as much comedy as you can! Head to Chapters in Stockport on Saturday 26th October to catch Kerry Leigh and Jen Brister (8:00pm-11:00pm) – or pop along to the Globe Inn in Glossop to see Maureen Younger and Angie McEvoy (8:00pm – 10:30pm)
If you’re struggling to decide (and we don’t blame you), make sure you’re around for the Festival’s final night on Sunday 27th October, when all four comics will be doing a final set at the Frog & Bucket (8:00pm – 11:00pm). This very special event will be followed by a wrap party, DJ’d by none other than Festival founder Hazel O’Keefe herself. What a way to round off a brilliant month in style!
It’s been an honour to be involved in the very first UK Women In Comedy Festival and we’re looking forward to an amazing final week. If you can’t make it up to Manchester but are desperate to come along to one of our workshops, shows or events, keep an eye on our What’s On page here – we might be coming to a city near you very soon!
The UK Women In Comedy Festival runs all over Manchester until Sunday 27th October. For more information and a full programme, visit their website HERE.
Pictured: Twisted Loaf, Julie Jepson
