Even after six months, I’m still over here struggling against the urge to start every one of these columns with “oh hey, look at how different the weather is to the last time I wrote this”. Anyway, pinch punch, first of the month, it’s bleak out there and by out there I mean: my street, the world and most probably the universe too, because I’m guessing that another Jeff Bezos is somewhere in space at the other end of a wormhole (time isn’t linear; I’ve seen Arrival).
Bet you need a laugh, huh? Same. And I’m fully taking advantage of all the resources at my disposal to have a good time. And boy, do those resources have some great shows coming up this month and would probably appreciate me not referring to them as “resources”. From new stand-up tours, to a whole huge bunch of International Women’s Day mixed-bills up and down the country, there’s almost too much to choose from.
I hope this helps narrow it down a bit because we are only just getting started — you should see the lists I’m making for the coming months. Tasty, tasty lists.
Happy International Women’s Month (it’s a thing), happy comedy viewing, and happy lamb birthing season. Baa bitches!
Lou Sanders: One Word: WOW
On tour from Thursday 3rd March — Tuesday 31st May, everywhere
If you’ve been following Lou Sanders on the gram, you’ll know that she’s taken up the coolest new pastime: roller skating. She’s sharing her gift with the world, as well as a guy she met at the skatepark. (Hearing her talk about her skating abilities in this show, you’d never guess that she’s actually become impressively good – half-pipes and everything.) I saw a preview of this new show a couple of weeks ago and it’s classic Lou, cantering along at speed, which is fitting because there’s also a bit about marrying a horse. For more information and tickets, click here!
A Lovely Time at Lass Fest
Saturday 5th March, Grub Manchester
Up in Manchester, top podcast and regular comedy night A Lovely Time has teamed up with the week-long Lass Fest for an International Women’s Day special show. Hosted by Amy Gledhill (off of the Delightful Sausage and Alma’s Not Normal, aka two of the best comedy things around), she’s joined by Heidi Regan, Leila Navabi and Molly McGuinness. For more information and tickets, click here!
Eryn Tett Finds Her Audience
Saturday 5th March, Comedy Cabin
You know what comedy needs more of these days? Well-researched quantitative data. Eryn Tett agrees and she’s on a stats-driven journey to find her audience and ultimately the perfect audience member (which could be you) while performing her show. She’s a former Funny Women Awards runner-up — making it to the final mid-pando – whose comedy is a mixture of absurdist and observational, so basically all the fun of the fair. Personally, this is the sort of clinical trial I think you should be getting involved with these days. By the way, if you find yourself at Comedy Cabin this month, you should check out Vaulternative – a bunch of newly rehomed VAULT festival shows. For more information and tickets, click here!
International Women’s Week
Tuesday 8th — Friday 11th March, 21Soho
Three absolutely ridiculous, stonking line-ups in celebration of International Women’s Day (here, a week, because absolutely why the hell not?). On the actual day itself, there’s the Stand Up 4 Women fundraiser for Solace Women’s Aid with Sikisa, Ania Magliano, Michelle De Swarte, Esther Manito, Kelly Convey, Dee Allum AND Bronwyn Sweeney. Holy hell on wheels! Next up on the 10th and 11th it’s two 21Soho Presents nights, firstly with Harriet Kemsley, Mary O’Connell, Yuriko Kotani, Amy Gledhill and Celya AB — inhale — and secondly, with Sindhu Vee, Alison Spittle, Bella Hull and Karen Hobbs. Watch out, this section is about to collapse with the weight of this many big names! For more information and tickets, click here!
Hasbian
Tuesday 8th — Saturday 12th March, The Pleasance Theatre
Bit of theatre because we are cultured, darling. Beth Watson’s debut full-length show Hasbian has been (lol) on my radar for ages, particularly as it was supposed to be part of this year’s dearly departed VAULT Festival. Thank GOODNESS it found a new home at the Pleasance, so Beth can tell her autobiographical comedy show about coming out as a lesbian, to discover that boys were also kinda cute. Using actual teenage diaries — so, so brave, I could never — she tells the story of growing up in Brighton, under Section 28. For more information and tickets, click here!
Funny Women: International Women’s Day Specials
Wednesday 9th, Forest Arts Centre, New Milton, & Thursday 10th March, Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham
There are not one but two of Funny Women’s own nights on this month thanks to International Women’s Day. Not to toot our own trumpets here but Funny Women never misses with these line-ups. The first night in New Milton has headliner Suzy Bennett and host Louise Leigh joined by Jessie Nixon, Pravanya Pillay, Lottie Hazell, and Sam Fraser. Suzy Bennet is back to headline the second night, hosted by Esther Manito with Katherine Kenway, Ola Labib, Julie Stenton, and Sha Wylie. For more information and tickets, click here and here!
Clandestina Queer Comedy
Thursday 10th March, Kindred Hammersmith
You can never have enough queer comedy nights, especially ones in such luxurious settings (I’m more used to sweaty/freezing pubs). Clandestina brings the best women, non-binary and trans comedic talent every month, this time hosted by Gabby Killick and headlined by Sarah Keyworth! Victoria Olsina, Lily Webb, Liz Guterbock and most recent Funny Women Awards runner-up Bronwyn Sweeney are also on the gorge line-up. For more information and tickets, click here!
Shaparak Khorsandi: It Was the 90s!
Monday 21st — Thursday 24th March, Soho Theatre
Ahhh the 90s. For me, a carefree decade full of Viennetta and double-denim-clad style icons B*Witched; for Shaparak Khorsandi, a decade of flying round London with a handbag of hope and spare knickers. I know which one I’d rather hear about. She’ll be taking the Soho Theatre audience on a trip down memory lane so grab yourself a snakebite from the bar (if they let you…) For more information and tickets, click here!
Material, Girls
Tuesday 22nd March, McChuills, Glasgow International Comedy Festival
Glasgow International Comedy Festival (running 10th — 27th March) has got some of Scotland’s best mixed up with a host of travelling talent from around the UK: Fern Brady, Janey Godley, Sophie Duker, Sara Barron, more and more! But if you’re after a burst of new faces from the Glasgow scene, check out Material, Girls — Amanda Dwyer, Rae Brogan, Amanda Hursy, Emma McNally, Molly Buckingham and headliner Susan Riddell. For more information and tickets, click here!
Isy Suttie: She’s Alright
Thursday 31st March, 2Northdown
It’s been ages since I saw Isy Suttie and there’s nothing quite like hitting up a work-in-progress show after a long time away from a fave. Her new show is about her search to find a book her mum requested for Christmas, in a bid to make up for being a rebellious daughter. In She’s Alright, Isy wonders what kind of a parent she is now that she has her own kids — also whether she should let a ouija board determine her sex life. She contains multitudes, guys! For more information and tickets, click here!
