To celebrate International Women’s Day and to raise awareness of V-Day’s spotlight campaign to end rape in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Funny Women’s annual charity gala ‘Funny Women Stand Up’ took over the Leicester Square Theatre.
I think my sides have just recovered – hosted by the brilliant Mrs. Barbara Nice (‘thanks for laughing, love’) who managed to not only squeeze a rendition of Let Me Entertain You into her introductions, but also got the entire audience up and dancing. Quite a feat for 8pm on a Monday.
She was then followed by a host of Funny Women winners and finalists – including Suzy Bennett in her slimming black, Andi Osho MC’d, Katherine Ryan regaled us with tales of motherhood and 2009’s winner, Miss London told us all about the ghetto of Wimbledon village…
After a brief interlude – and a fairly substantial helping of cake – we were joined by Domestic Goddi with their mock-Brief Encounter sketch, Carrie Quinlan took us on a tour across America, Bridget Christie championed ants, Leisa Rea sang about ‘Middle Class Mothers’ and there was even time for a word from ‘corporate sponsors’ Circularity Thinking.
You would have thought that would have been more enough – but the bill was still brimming , with double act Fordham and Pilkingon’s adult take on childhood, Deborah Frances – White’s promise to make the male audience members irrestible to women and Guardian columnist Shazia Mirza on her family life.
The show was closed with Dead Ringer’s Jan Ravens who gave an impressionist’s workshop – leaving us all able to mimic Anne Robinson and Janet Street – Porter almost as well as Jan herself.
Of course, it wasn’t just about laughing and having a good time – it was also an event to raise awareness of the V-Day Stop Raping Our Greatest Resource: Power to the Women and Girls of the DRC. Lynne Franks took to the stage during the night to remind us all of the importance of supporting women across the world and working to eradicate domestic and sexual violence.
An incredible evening for an incredible cause – and I have the utmost respect for every act last night!
To find out more check out http://www.funnywomen.com/ and http://drc.vday.org/
