Funny Girls Stand Up For International Women’s Day

Funny Women Stand Up is now an official fixture in the diary of ‘must see’ events that take place on International Women’s Day. Thursday 8th March 2007 sees the show’s return for the fourth year running and, as ever, it will feature some of Britain’s best female comedy performers and stand-ups. The fun takes place in the glorious show biz atmosphere of the Hammersmith Palais, London.

The show is one of Funny Women’s key charity awareness and fund raising events and continues to bring attention to issues around violence against women. Box office proceeds raised on the night will be donated to two charities: ActionAid, which works to protect, empower and inspire women and girls to achieve their full potential and V-Day: Until the Violence Stops, which campaigns to end violence against women as well as supporting key charities such as Women’s Aid and Refuge to help survivors.

The final line-up is still to be confirmed but it will be hosted once again by the brilliant Jo Caulfield, well known to BBC Radio 4 fans, and includes the incomparable and fabulous Jo Brand, Jan Ravens of BBC’s Dead Ringers and Strictly Come Dancing, multi-lingual musician and comedian, Rebecca Carrington, and Joe her 18th century cello, the world’s most unusual double-act.

The show also features the fabulously funny newcomer, Suzy Bennett, who won the 2006 Funny Women Awards and the talented Liz Carr, a finalist in last year’s Awards.

Ayesha Hazarika, who originally came up with the idea of celebrating International Women’s Day with an all women comedy event while she was working for the then Minister for Women, Patricia Hewitt, will also perform. Ayesha is an accomplished stand up comic in her own right and works closely with Funny Women’s founder and producer, Lynne Parker, to stage this very special, annual event.

Funny Women Stand Up is an event supported by the Mayor of London as part of the International Women’s Day celebrations. There will be a ‘preview’ of the show at CapitalWoman, the Mayor’s annual London Women’s Conference at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre and Central Hall Westminster on Saturday 3rd March, between 4.30 p.m and 5.30 p.m.

Funny Women was created in 2002 to provide a dedicated platform for female comedy – both established acts and new talent. It is now the leading live female comedy brand and stages around 50 shows a year including the Funny Women Awards*, Funny Women at the Fringe and touring shows around the UK. Funny Women Stand Up is also the official launch of the Funny Women Awards, which will celebrate five years of seeking out new female comedy talent in 2007.

Tickets cost £20 and doors open at 7.00 p.m. The show starts at 8.00 p.m.

As part of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, Funny Women will also be celebrating International Women's Day north of the border, in the company of some of the funniest celtic sisters on the circuit. Susan Calman (a wee lassie with a big future - Edinburgh Evening News) will take charge of proceedings and introduce an array of female talent including River City baddie Frances Healy, comedy mother Jojo Sutherland, surprise guests and new talent.

For further details visit funnywomen.com.