Most people with the slightest interest in comedy have heard about their Shappi Khorsandis, Sarah Millicans and Miranda Harts. While I believe there is a place for these women in comedy they are not to my personal taste and, like so many before me, I wrote them off with the common phrase, ‘Women just aren’t funny’. I am ashamed of my assertion and have since found that some women, just like some men, ARE funny. These generalisations make life so much harder for the women trying to make it in comedy, (and for the women who HAVE made it but just aren’t included in people’s top ten lists). I realise not all of these comedians will be for everyone but if you like comedy, or like the idea of it, I urge you to give these women your time.
Who am I to spur out another list compared to TV producers who clearly live and breathe comedy? I am a student and, yes, I have my annual membership to the Comedy Society. But along with that I have worked in comedy since the age of 17 and have had a desire to work in this industry since before I can remember. I have worked for venues, promoting companies, arts festivals, management companies… You name it, I’ve done it – unless it’s stand-up itself, in which case I fall slightly short. I currently work for the House of Fun Comedy Club and as a perk of the job I watch the shows weekly. Needless to say I have watched a lot of comedy. I hope this means you won’t write this off as another Buzzfeed-esque list. I mean business.
1) Bridget Christie
Christie is one of those comedians who should need no introduction. She is by far one of my favourite comedians of all time. Dear Ms Bridget won an extremely prestigious comedy award at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. In fact she is one of the first women to have done so (go Bridget!). Only about ten acts out of thousands get nominated each year. It is extremely hard to get nominated, let alone win. Christie’s show ‘A Bic for Her’ was, yes, themed around feminism. She even adorned the stage wearing a ‘No More Page 3’ shirt. This truly is a win for women who feel they need to fit into certain brackets of femininity to not be shunned. Put simply, Christie is brilliant and she’s brilliant without compromising her interests. She is a naturally funny person with something of substance to say and ultimately, once you scrape down the craft of writing, acting, and managing, that’s what comedy comes down to – funny people saying something worth listening to. So I urge you, if you take one thing away from this list, take on board the fact that Bridget Christie is one of the funniest comedians in the circuit today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgPvI0rh9Qg
2) Sarah Pascoe
I definitely think Pascoe has one of the biggest audiences out of my list of lovely ladies. However when asking around and doing my research, even though she appears in the biggest venues and on the tele-box, hardly anyone mentioned her. This to me is a perfect example of injustice! That such a brilliant and successful comedienne like Sarah Pascoe be forgotten is ludicrous. Her mix of awkward observational comedy, impeccable timing and no-gimmicks attitude makes her, in my opinion, someone worth paying for (and for someone who gets to watch comedy for free that’s saying something). During this year’s Edinburgh Fringe my work pass allowed me access to practically all of the largest venues. But I decided that for the acts I truly felt deserved an encore of money, I would pay to see them. Pascoe was one of the few that made this list and she was worth every penny! She has been on all the big comedy television shows; Stand Up for the Week, Live at the Apollo and QI. It truly is enjoyable to sit and listen to the crazy thoughts that take up Pascoe’s head-space.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRXyZfmYwfI
3) Claudia O’Doherty
No there is no relation to David O’Doherty there. Although I had the pleasure of watching them on stage together earlier this year and wow, was that an experience. I must say Claudia is definitely not for everyone. She is straight out weird in her mix of observations and character comedy that demands the audience to engage. Probably one of the weirdest experiences I have had was watching Claudia O’Doherty as ‘Rosie the Lighthouse-Keeper’, shouting at a confused audience to ‘STAY AWAY FROM HER LIGHTHOUSE’. Watching O’Doherty is like watching a manic on heat; nobody can switch so quickly from docile to shouty in 0.00001 seconds like her. It is truly a feat to be witnessed and while it may leave you bemused, or slightly frightened in some cases, it always gets a laugh from me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnUGid_0HNw
4) Josie Long
Well what can I say about Josie Long? There isn’t much to report on Long, simply because she has reached household-name status in the comedy world. She’s like the girl I wish my sister was (sorry, sister). Everything from her performance to her website portrays Miss Long as charmingly infantile, and she is. If you haven’t heard of Josie Long, then listen. She is revered by many, disliked by few, and heard of by all. If you are not used to comedy Long provides a perfect introduction, simply because she has been through it all and landed up on top.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh8Bh7xbU4U
5) Hannah Gadsby
Gadsby is Australian. And self-deprecating. Need I say more? Hannah Gadsby mainly stays in Aussie-land so if you do get a chance to see her grab the opportunity. The lady even comes adorned with a few comedy awards of her own so you know it’ll be worth your time! Another thing to add about this comedienne is that she is one of those funny-people that takes it seriously, (all the best do), and treats it like a true art-form, much in the way that Simon Munnery does with his film-comedy hybrid. Gadsby has created a hybrid of her own. Her wordplay and lyrical drole mixes with an art lecture-esque structure to make something rarely seen by students across the world – a funny and engaging lecture-comedy thing. That’s how new it is; I can’t even name it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiwDN-bZtMQ
6) Jo Brand
Ah now, a name that is usually followed by a few tuts. Many people have it out for Jo Brand and straight up say that they don’t like her. I feel this entry may need to be more of a defence. Yes I have to admit she is not my favourite laugh-out-loud comedienne but I do respect her. Brand was one of the first women on stage to confront the taboo of ‘woman’. She paved the way for the Christies out there and demanded that men and women alike stop and listen and realise…women have vaginas. Her in-your-face stand-up, crazy outfits and out-there hair got people’s attention and proved that women would no longer be ignored! Brand has made this list for the simple fact that she is a large contributor to the women’s cause in the comedy circuit. You may not laugh at her comments on QI but let’s be honest, not much of what anyone says on that show is snort-out-your-drink funny, and every now and again she comes out with a joke that makes you laugh and cover your mouth in embarrassment. All bow down to the mother of Women’s Comedy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTINPOKEOzQ
7) Lucy Porter
I must admit out of everyone on my list Lucy Porter is a comedian I am slightly unfamiliar with, but she is an undeniable fan favourite. Her name came up repeatedly when I was rushing around forums and campus asking people who their favourite acts were. My knowledge of Porter goes as far as what I have seen on Mock the Week and Never Mind the Buzzcocks but what I have seen I have liked. She is, from what I have seen and heard, the quintessential epitome of the opposition to man-bashing stereotypes and always delivers her lines with a smile. An hour with Porter will just simply make you happy and who doesn’t want that?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIosHrgZ7a4
8) Nat Luurtsema
I have personal experience with Nat having been one of her promoters during this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. She is just incredible and I have such a high opinion of her on a person-to-person basis. Nat, as well as performing solo stand-up, is one-third of the popular sketch group Jigsaw, alongside Dan Antopolski and her ex-boyfriend, Tom Craine. It’s a weird dynamic but it works. Nat’s solo show during this year’s Edinburgh Fringe was about her breakup with Tom (and Tom’s was about the same subject from a different side). Her capability for narrative is what, in my opinion, strung the Jigsaw show together and carried on the momentum of the absurdity. In other words I think she’s just brilliant. Her blend of silly and smart amalgamates into something completely original and she is definitely the cornerstone of the sketch trio.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jJCcgPxp88&list=PL69264F5F5381E768
9) Dana Alexander
Every comedy list needs at least one token Canadian comedian. Those pesky, non-American types keep sneaking in and I have to admit it’s just because they are a funny breed. Her no-gimmicks style has a very laid-back conversational feel and is perfect for those not accustomed to comedy. She’s a quick-fire, heckler-destroying, relax-invoking machine. Be warned Alexander writes, as most should do, about what she knows. So, in her 30s, this observational comedy may not appeal to everyone. Either way I find her highly entertaining.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFExFayzU5c
10) Susan Calman
My list would not be complete without a Scot or, more precisely, without a Calman. The centre of comedy nowadays, Scottish humour has become highly influential and important in the circuit. This loud-mouthed confident Scot-lady has a plethora of nominations and awards under her belt, taking us all the way back to 2005. In comedian years, that’s like…204 years ago. Quite simply Susan Calman is what we have come to expect from a stand-up: funny lines, perfectly timed delivery and a clear opinion. She may be the last in my top ten but she definitely is not least.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j810A_wQu2w
My list could happily go on forever. There are so many important and hilarious comedians that fall in the bracket of what we call ‘women’ so, if you get a chance, here is my extensive extra list of funny women to check out. If they are playing shows near you I urge you to go see these women. It’s important to encourage the arts in general but with these ladies you’ll have a fun time doing so: Isy Suttie, Jo Caulfield, Felicity Ward, Aisling Bea, Katie Mulgrew, Jessie Cave, Roisin Connaty, Mae Martin, Ava Vidal and Helen Keller.
Image Sources:
http://www.comedy.co.uk/news/story/000001232/
http://www.comedy.co.uk/fringe/2011/reviews/sara_pascoe/
http://www.sohotheatre.com/whats-on/claudia-odoherty-pioneer/
http://www.ayoungertheatre.com/review-josie-long-the-future-is-another-place-nook-cafe/
http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/comedy/mrs-chuckles-20110408-1d6oh.html
http://www.leadersforbusiness.com/jo-brand/
http://uktv.co.uk/dave/article/aid/645712
http://www.aceuk.com/clients/view/nat-luurtsema
http://www.thepushagency.com/roster/danaalexander/
http://www.gigglebeats.co.uk/2012/08/susan-calman-something-deep-within-my-soul-said-just-do-it/
By Katya Balfour-Lynn