Richmond resident and founder of Funny Women explains why female comics are having the last laugh

By Laura Johnston on August 22nd 2011

Anyone who dares proclaim that women aren’t as funny as men should be prepared to do battle if they’re overheard by Lynne Parker.

The former journalist, broadcaster and marketing consultant set up her own comedy brand Funny Women in 2002 as a ‘knee jerk’ reaction to a misogynistic comedy promoter she had been working with who said he didn’t book female comedy acts because there “aren’t any funny women”.

Parker thought differently and realising the gaping hole in the male-dominated circuit she decided to launch her own Richmond based comedy brand to provide a vibrant platform for new and established female acts.

Funny Women has now given stage time and trained more than 1,500 women and the Funny Women Awards, which were launched in 2003, are going from strength to strength, helping to develop the careers of many female comics including Suzy Bennett and the hugely successful Sarah Millican.

Heats have been taking place across the UK, including at the recent Edinburgh Fringe Festival, to find the best female talent for this year’s final. Yet despite the phenomenal success of Funny Women Parker admits it can still be tough for females on the circuit.

She says: “It is still very chauvinistic. Even if they (men) don’t think they’re being sexist it’s endemic on the circuit.” However Parker says some of the most sexist people she has met have been other women, and it’s female audiences who are the toughest to please.

It’s easy to assume that Parker, the executive producer of Funny Women, must be a comedian herself (she’s not) but she believes everyone has the ability to make someone smile and giggle.

“All of us, men and women, have the ability to use humour,” she enthuses. “Women tend to be more inhibited and less willing to behave in a way that is comical as it’s seen as ‘pushy’ or masculine behaviour. Now we accept that there are some brilliantly funny female role models out there, more women are taking to the boards.”

The savvy business woman therefore tapped into this belief, recognising that women can achieve a lot by finding their comic voice. So as well as producing shows and tours, Funny Women also rolls out public workshops and courses around the UK for women who want to learn about performing stand up comedy in a safe, non threatening environment.

Plus Funny Women has partnered with self-made multi-millionaire businesswomen and serial entrepreneur Karen Darby to roll out Funny Women in Business.

Workshops and events are organised for companies and organisations, showing female employees how to use humour in their professional lives to build confidence and improve presentation skills. 

Parker says that by adapting some of the tricks of the stand-up trade participants reap huge benefits to help them in their personal and professional lives.

“It can help people to realise that they just need to be themselves, say it like it is and think in the moment,” she explains.

“Shyness and timidity are born out of anxiety and if you can convince somebody that what they have to say is as valid as the next person, they relax and feel more comfortable about communicating.”

Funny Women Awards

The finest new female comics are preparing to take to the stage at the 9^th Funny Women Awards.

Heats have been taking place around the country and now a star-studded judging panel, including the BBC’s arts director Will Gompertz and Lucy Lumsden, head of comedy for Sky 1, are ready to cast their votes to give aspiring female comedians their big break.

As well as the stand-up trophy there is the Variety Award, introduced last year and won by character act Gemma Whelan, performing as her spinsterly alter ego Chastity Butterworth, and the brand new Comedy Writing Award which is being sponsored by Sky who will commission 30 minutes of scripted programming from the winner.

Last year’s awards were won by comic duo Thankless Child who have been compared to a young French and Saunders combined with the twinkly charm of Ant and Dec.

The duo, Liz Black and Freya Slipper, met when they were both part of the The Improverts at Edinburgh University, and they started writing together in 2009. They say: “Winning Funny Women has given us greater exposure and we have met lots of interesting people. We are about to start writing another hour for Edinburgh 2012 and can’t wait.”

Funny Women is also dedicated to raising money for charities through humour and as well as taking part and entertaining runners at Race for Life in Old Deer Park, Richmond and across the UK, this year’s award’s final is in aid of Cancer Research UK.

The quarter finals of the Funny Women Awards 2011 take place on 10 September, the semi finals on September 11 and the final on 26 September, all at Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place,
WC2H 7BX; funnywomen.com

Who and what makes Lynne laugh…

Favourite female comedian: I love Miranda Hart. We’ve worked with her quite a bit over the years and she hosted a run of shows for us at the Edinburgh Fringe five years ago.

Plus Suzy Bennett of course!  Suzy did a gig with Jo Brand a few months after she won the Funny Women Awards in 2006 and Jo told her that she’d see her on the tele!

Favourite male comedian: Patrick Monahan who is currently featuring on Show Me The Funny on ITV. He’s destined to be huge. I also like Rhod Gilbert and Greg Davies.

Comedian who’s not your cup of tea: Frankie Boyle because he is deliberately shocking and I don’t find that funny.

Who makes you giggle the most? My girlfriends because they usually aren’t trying. And Suzy Bennett and her tales of various relationships with men.

What makes you laugh out loud? I’m a sucker for animals doing silly things, particularly on television commercials- guinea pigs dressed up, dogs chasing sausages, and the famous PG chimps!

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