Back in February 2019, in a world untouched by Covid, I was in a noisy Amsterdam bar launching our first Funny Women chapter in mainland Europe. This gig attracted a broad and international lineup and, onto the stage sprung an energetic quirky Mexican woman with 70% hearing loss who made us all laugh until it hurt, in a good way.
That night I told Lara Ricote to enter the Funny Women Awards because she could win. Then she disappeared Cinderella like into the night, and I mourned the loss of such great talent when she didn’t enter in 2019 or our lockdown year 2020.
Then, oh joy, Lara’s smiling happy face and crazy comedy schtick popped up in the first video rounds of last year’s Awards. The shoe finally fitted and, yes, she won, exactly as I’d predicted two years before. I should add that this was not a ‘done deal’ as there were a lot of frogs to kiss along the way.
I cannot take credit for true talent other than recognising it when I see it. We see a lot of it here at Funny Women and along with my brilliant colleagues and our array of ‘illustrious’ industry judges, we have made some great choices over the years.
My current prediction is that Lara’s trophy shelf will be groaning with even more awards after her Fringe debut this year. I was only in Edinburgh for four days but the buzz about her was very present. I was with six other women friends and three of them voted Lara’s show as one of the best they had seen. Praise indeed as they are not regular consumers of stand up comedy, live or virtual.
Lara’s show is pure joy – even when she explains the bad bits, like dealing with deafness and the intricacies of her mixed race, cross-cultural heritage. She chats to her audience with such energy and whimsy you cannot fail to like her.
We often forget that likeability is the key to success – it’s good to leave a show having sat in a hot sweaty cave for an hour, feeling uplifted. We’re not TED-talking here but more ‘best friend’ telling tales and really making you laugh in that deeply recognisable, shared-experience way that boosts the happy hormones.
I’m proud to have seen Lara so early on in her career in Amsterdam, now over three years ago, and on stage at the Bloomsbury Theatre last September when she won our Stage Award. You saw her here first and I hope her Funny Women trophy will always have pride of place next to whatever else she wins.
Five stars because I can and she’s already bagged our biggest prize. I expect it’s already sold out but go if you can as there are extra shows.
★★★★★
Lara Ricote: GRL/LATNX/DEF is at Monkey Barrel Comedy (various venues and times) and Pleasance Besides until 28th August. For tickets visit EdFringe.com.
