Staying Power

Nearly two years ago, life as we knew it dropped right off a cliff. I’ll be honest, I welcomed some aspects of this sudden change and haven’t missed the late nights travelling home on crowded public transport or the long dark motorway journeys that have coloured my life on the road since 2002. 

It has been a relief to take a year or two off from the madness and expense of the Edinburgh Fringe and do the ‘normal’ summer holiday stuff that the non-comedy Muggles do in August.

Now, as the FOMO creeps up on me with gigs getting going again all over the country, I really want to acknowledge the openness and accessibility that the virtual space has brought to our community. This will forever be a part of our ethos as has proved fundamental to our ‘staying power.’

The online opportunity was always there of course, but largely as an ‘add on’ or ‘second best’ rather than being used as a key platform to hone your comedy craft. In truth, if you can perform in the virtual space then being on a stage in front of a living, breathing audience will be a doddle.

We have run two Funny Women Awards seasons online, apart from the finals, which has changed my perspective completely. The screen holds absolutely no hostages and to perform stand-up comedy to little squares, some of which remain resolutely blank, takes real cajones, particularly if it’s your first ever gig or you took up comedy during lockdown.

To celebrate we’re running a monthly online Open Mic gig and the first one of 2022 took place this week featuring 12 great acts, some very new and a few more experienced performers trying out new material.

Everybody rose to the virtual challenge and it was a lovely, inclusive, and fun night. Instead of live belly laughs and heckles there were friendly and supportive comments and emojis in the chatbox. The spirit of Funny Women has not diminished over the last two years.

Shows like this are the very embodiment of everything that I set out to achieve when I first created Funny Women. Staying around throughout the tough times is definitely our ‘super power’ and the last two years have really shown us what we’re capable of and consolidated our position within the broader comedy community. Bring on 2022 and all that it may hold as we’ve still got an awful lot to give.

Online Events coming up

There are still a few places left on our next Comedy Crash Course which takes place online from Monday 21^st to Friday 25^th February, booking details here.

To book a spot at one of our upcoming online Open Mic events please email mariana@funnywomen.com and the next gig takes place on Thursday 24^th February. We need audiences too so please book your tickets in advance here!