Step inside the dark recesses of my broken brain, brush past that pile of social cues I’ve forgotten how to operate; clamber over my useless anecdotes from January-March 2020; look out for Stefan (my mind cat), he’s lurking somewhere. Take a seat if you can find one.
Now that you’re here, I’m absolutely delighted to say I’m writing a regular feature for Funny Women! There’s nothing I’ve missed more over the hellmonths than watching live comedy and, while I’m still easing myself back into it, I’m grateful for the opportunity to gush over people I find funny and give you some recommendations. These will take the form of mainly live in-person and online gigs, but I’ll be adding in some books, podcasts, tv shows, and all sorts of comedy nonsense as it comes along.
In case you’re wondering what my credentials are for spouting my opinions on what comedy you should ingest…
After a few years writing for the Evening Standard and some glorious local newspapers, the global pancreas THRUST me unceremoniously into the cold. Feeling bereft and, let’s be totally honest, attempting to fill up A LOT of spare time, I set up my own comedy newsletter with comedian/legend/producer extraordinaire Maddy Bye at the end of last year (it’s called LMAOnaise, feel free to subscribe 😎). You may or may not think that qualifies me to tell you what to watch but, much like the new boys entering the villa during Casa Amor week, I back myself, yeah?
Despite all of this year-and-a-half’s nonsense, it looks like August is going to be as exciting a comedy month as ever, thanks mainly (in my opinion) to an incredible offering from Camden Fringe. Please, peruse, see some shows, tell us what you think. There’ll be less introductory waffle from me next time, but for now, let’s do this.
Shedinburgh Fringe Festival
3rd-30th August, Online
This was such a triumph last year — beaming an Edinburgh alternative straight from a shed into our homes at the height of our comedy sadness. This year, there’s some fab stuff on the shed-ule, with Helen Bauer and Sikisa doing a split-bill, a Guilty Feminist live show, musical comedy Everything is Absolutely Fine, and Rachel Fairburn. For tickets and more information click here!
Mama’s Comedy
4th August, Poster Haus Stoke Newington
Fatiha El-Ghorri headlines the first of this brand new female-led comedy night, Mama’s Comedy, which will take place on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Line-up number one features Hannah Brissenden, Victoria Olsina, Caroline McEvoy, Ellie Calnan and Elly Shaw (as well as one token guy, Runi Talwar). For tickets and more information click here!
Isabelle Farah: Ellipsis
4th-14th August, Assembly Roxy Edinburgh
The magnificent Isabelle Farah explores the public and private faces of grief in Ellipsis, a show about turning your life into punchlines while in the grip of all-consuming sadness. It’s part stand-up, part theatre, part storytelling, all brilliant and very much worth a watch. For tickets and more information click here!
Thanyia Moore: Bully
6th-7th, 12th August Camden Comedy Club
This is exciting for me because (gasp) I’ve never actually seen a full-length 2017 Funny Women Awards winner Thanyia Moore show before, however, I’ve seen her absolutely smash it as host many times — seriously, she’s the best at it. Her show Bully is about being bullied, being a bully and overcoming being a “nightmare” child. For tickets and more information click here!
Funny Women’s Brighton Nights
12th August, Komedia Brighton
Here’s one of Funny Women’s own live nights down in Brighton (aka where I wish I could be most of the time). With a combo from the Funny Women Awards and beyond, host Esther Manito is joined by Jen Ives, Sharlin Jahan, Lulu Popplewell and Yuriko Kotani. For tickets and more information click here!
Funny Femmes Triple Bill
15th August, 2Northdown
Here we have a top-notch triple bill overflowing with talent. The number of awards lists these three are on is both ludicrous and totally justified. Charlie George, Sharlin Jahan and Alex Bertulis-Fernandes are teaming up for a Camden Fringe night out. For tickets and more information click here!
Julia Masli: CHOOSH!
22nd-18th August, Monkey Barrel Edinburgh
Monkey Barrel has a bunch of great shows in Edinburgh this month (Harriet Kemsely, Olga Koch, Fern Brady, Hannah Platt, more), but I’m here to talk about Julia Masli, in my opinion, one of the best clowny absurdist comedians around. See her work-in-progress for unbridled silliness. For tickets and more information click here!
Birthday Girls House Party with Suzi Ruffell
21st August, Cavendish Square
The podcast that never fails to make me snort is back for a new series. Beattie Edmondson, Rose Johnson and Camille Ucan are bringing the party vibes to Underbelly festival for a live recording, joined by Suzi Ruffell — major heart eyes. Rose and Camille are also doing a chaotic cabaret at Above the Stag the following weekend. For tickets and more information click here!
Pecs: The Boys Are Back in Town
30th August – 4th September, Soho Theatre
All women and non-binary drag king company Pecs is what has been missing from my life. Thrustin Limbersnake, Izzy Aman and the gang give us more queer joy cabaret than 100% comedy, but I guarantee there will be laughs and when you’re not chuckling, you’ll be feeling hot under the collar, which is a good alternative. For tickets and more information click here!
If you have a comedy show you want included in the Funny Women Comedy Guide then contact Zoe Paskett Guide@funnywomen.com
