The Women in Comedy Festival is delighted to announce that for the first time this year it will give out awards for the ‘best show’ and ‘best new act’. The awards will also be sponsored by Jason Manford and his Manford’s Comedy Clubs.
Running from 3rd to the 13th October, the Manchester based festival will host nearly 80 shows across the city. Now in its 13th year the festival goes from strength to strength in supporting cis women, and those who identify as women, in the comedy industry.
Director of the festival Jessica Toomey notes: “We are delighted to be able to finally announce these awards, ones that will recognise and reward the great talent the festival showcases. Yet again we’re bringing another fantastic programme of shows across many fantastic venues in Manchester City Centre and continue to champion and support women in comedy.”
Who’s on?
Here are some highlights -
Erin Jackson’s star is fast rising on the New York comedy scene, she has numerous writing credits to her name and recently made her Netflix debut with a stand up special as a part of Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready
Fresh from critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Nina Gilligan brings her show Goldfish.
Risky, confessional stand up from presenter turned comedian Tej Dhutia with TMI (Too Much Information).
Gay and working class (she likes bringing it up!) Mancunian with Armenian heritage Soph Galastein with I’m Worried If Not.
Stopping by on a national tour is the magnificent Laura Lexx with Slinky.
All Killa No Filla podcast heroine and proud Manc Rachel Fairburn appears with a “best of” show.
Ola Labib guides us through her Sudanese upbringing in Portsmouth in her debut show POLArising.
If you want to know what it’s like living with a comedian check out Lori Smith’s work in progress show ChuckleF*cker (she’s married to Paul Smith).
Local superstar Hayley Ellis sold out her work in progress show in days but she will also be on tour so look out for tickets.
Elsewhere there are compilation shows, a special all female edition of the Beat the Frog World Series heat and a podcast for that in-between-shows downtime at home.
History
The Women in Comedy Festival was founded in 2012 by Hazel O’Keefe who at the time was running the all-female comedy club Laughing Cows and who is now a patron of the festival. Jessica Toomey, Director of the Frog and Bucket Comedy Club and FAB Comedy Management now runs the festival alongside Aimee Perry; employing the same ethos Hazel began it with.
The actor Maxine Peake is a patron for the festival along with comedians Jo Enright, Isy Suttie, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Dana Alexander and Susan Calman; and producer Lynne Parker.
For more details of the festival click here.
