In 2025 Funny Women proudly launched The Glitter Challenge, and this year we’re mentoring 8 amazing women who have taken on a unique Comedy Challenge to raise vital funds for The Glitter Project. Each challenger is being mentored by an experienced comedian, helping them write and perfect their own unique 5 minute set. The challenge culminates with a night of stand up, our challengers appearing live on stage at the world’s largest arts festival, Edinburgh Fringe 2026.
The funds we raise from The Glitter Challenge will go towards giving women and non-binary people from all walks of life access to incredible creative opportunities in a safe, inclusive environment.
Let’s meet our next challenger… Jane Renton.
Jane Renton is a journalist, screenwriter and filmmaker with a love of dark comedy and finding the absurd in everyday life. A National Film and Television School’s Comedy Writing & Production graduate, her first comedy-horror short MUFF, screened widely at UK genre festivals. Currently developing television and film projects, she is trying her hand at stand up, bringing offbeat observations, rich life experience and a clear appreciation for the absurd. She writes about the point where funny, frightening and furious meet. She suspects stand up is the physical embodiment of exactly the same territory.
The Glitter Challenge journey is a masterclass in growth and mentorship. We caught up with Jane and asked about her comedy inspirations and the biggest lessons she is taking away from the experience so far:
Why did you join the Glitter Challenge?
I joined the Glitter Challenge after attending an incredibly fun and friendly workshop at the Groucho Club, run by Lynne Parker. Fuelled purely by endorphins, adrenalin, and a fair few negronis I accepted the challenge… or did I just refuse to back down from a dare?
What or who inspires your creativity and comedy writing?
My comedy writing has a mixture of influences. I love dark comedy and horror, and have a deep respect for the League of Gentlemen writers and their joyful leaning into the theatre of the grotesque. Caroline Aherne’s writing is still unparalleled, both in her onstage character pieces and scriptwriting. I think there are still so few examples of regional humour, and being a woman obviously makes it rarer still. My creativity is always driven by processing personal and political experiences and observations,
Looking back on your Glitter Challenge journey so far, what’s been your biggest takeaway, biggest surprise or learning curve?
I joined the Challenge quite late, and seeing other comedians onstage I can see clearly just how far I have to go and how much is involved to project that apparently effortless charisma well. BUT I have been genuinely amazed by just how uplifting and supportive the other challengers and comedy professionals working alongside us have been. Navigating a life characterised by quite significant challenges, there is an acquired resilience that can only be described as polite cynicism. The Glitter Challenge quite elegantly sashays past this. It is both refreshing and surprisingly heartfelt. Nobody wants to die onstage but everyone wants to be part of bringing someone else’s sparkle to life. We’re all in it together and that feels good.
To see Jane and the other Glitter Challengers perform at the Edinburgh Fringe on 17th August, book your tickets here.
