The leading showcase for female comedy talent in the UK and Ireland, the Funny Women Awards, has announced its Stage Award Finalists.
Now in their 16th year, previous winners and finalists of the Funny Women Awards include Katherine Ryan, Zoe Lyons, Jayde Adams, Desiree Burch, Harriet Braine, Sara Pascoe, Sarah Millican, Susan Calman, Rachel Parris, Bridget Christie, Kerry Godliman and Roisin Conaty, with Thanyia Moore as the current title holder.
This year’s Stage Award finalists – who have fought their way through 433 entrants and across a video entry stage, heats and semi-finals - are:
Celya AB; Kemah Bob; Sian Davies; Charlie George; Liz Guterbock; Jen Ives; Helena Langdon; Sarah Mann; Shelf, and Laura Smyth.
The Final will be hosted by actor, writer and comedian Katy Brand, whose many credits include: Katy Brand’s Big Ass Show, Peep Showand Psychobitches. Her latest book, I Carried A Watermelon, is out in October.
Funny Women CEO, Lynne Parker said: "I've seen the comedy circuit grow and expand in diversity since our very first event in 2002, and women have made a huge contribution and impact on the art form. This is the 16th time we've run the Funny Women Awards and our final, as ever, is a rich melting pot of talent. I'm extremely proud of what Funny Women has become."
Finalists in alphabetical order:
Celya AB
Job: Office Work
Hometown: Paris
Comedy Hero: Maria Bamford, Les Inconnus (French) Bill Hader, Kate McKinnon, Pierre Desproges (French)
Kemah Bob
Job: Comedy & Depression
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Comedy Heroes: The women producing "A Black Lady Sketch Show" for HBO. Absolute legends.
Sian Davies
Job: Retail Coffee Specialist
Hometown: Liverpool
Comedy Hero: Caroline Aherne
Charlie George
Job: Sales Children's Programme Manager
Hometown: Swindon
Comedy Hero: Maria Bamford
Liz Guterbock
Job: Voice Over Artist
Hometown: Visalia, California
Comedy Hero: Jen Brister
Jen Ives
Job: Comedian / Writer
Hometown: Catford, London
Comedy Heroes: Sarah Silverman, Vic & Bob, Steve Martin
Helena Langdon
Job: Copywriter
Hometown: Maidenhead, Berkshire
Comedy Heroes: Josie Long, Amy Poehler etc.
Sarah Mann
Job: Musician
Hometown: Hereford
Comedy Hero: My friend Emily
Shelf - Rachel WD and Ruby Clyde
Job: Online Content Creator and Data Analyst.
Hometown: London
Comedy Heroes: The Pin, Ellen, Mighty Boosh, Claire Dowie. Either a male sketch comedy double act, or a lesbian stand-up.
Laura Smyth
Job: English Teacher & Mother of three
Hometown: Forest Gate, London
Comedy Hero: Jennifer Saunders
Judges for the Stage Award are:
Steve Bennett – Chortle
Hannah Chambers – Chambers Management
Angela Ferreira – Managing Editor, Douglas Road Productions
Tilusha Ghelani - Commissioning Editor (Comedy) Sky
Lee Griffiths – Comedy Associate, Soho Theatre
Morwenna Gordon - Commissioning Editor (Comedy) for Sky
Fiona McDermott – Head of Comedy, Channel 4
Laura Jordan-Bambach – Founder + Chief Creative Officer, Mr President
Mick Perrin – Mick Perrin Worldwid
Alex Smith - BBC Radio Comedy Editor & Executive producer of the BBC New Comedy Awards
The Funny Women Stage Award is run in partnership with Sky. The Charity Partner is The Fawcett Society
