Basic HTML Version
TRAVELLER
17
WHOSAYSWOMEN
aren’t funny?
Certainly not audiences at the Edinburgh
Fringe Festival, who last year votedwith
bums on seats, selling out shows by female
comedians like SarahMillican, while critics
added politicallyminded comic Josie Long
to the festival-award shortlist.
A record number of female comedians
and all-women companies showed at last
year’s event –more than 100 in total – and
this year there are set to be evenmore.
Funny females, finally, seem to be stepping
into the limelight.
“I’m looking forward to deep-fried
everything and performing every day,”
says Miranda Hennessy, one energetic
performer making her Edinburgh debut.
Fans of UK sitcoms
The Pro Show
and
PhoneShop
will be familiar with Hennessy’s
comic stylings, whichwill be put to good
use in sketch show
AHistory of Violence
.
But while Hennessy is pleased to be
heading north for amonth-long comedy
extravaganza, she’s not keen to be
labelled as a female comedian. “I’ma
comedian,” she stresses. “The toughest
hurdle that female performers have to
overcome is thinking that people don’t
think women are funny.”
Many comedians agree that the “are
women funny?” debate is a tired one – but
it’s still the boys who are taking home the
majority of the awards. Only twowomen
havewon at Edinburgh in the festival’s
history, most recently in 2005.
Whatever your opinion, with a
record-breaking 530 acts set to perform
at this year’s festival, it seems that comedy
itself is set to have the last laugh.
Catch Hennessy & Friends at Underbelly,
Bristo Square, 1-27 August, 2.50pm;
mirandahennessy.com
Here come the girls
DISCOVERIES
WORDS CLAIRE MARTIN, CATHERINE COOPER
1.
Don’t concentrate
on the fact you’re
awoman doing
comedy and
maybe no one
will notice
2.
Make themost
of being the only
female on
the bill
3.
Don’t get violent
if people don’t
laugh
4.
Don’t drink
toomuch
5.
BE FUNNY!
MirandaHennessywith
friends Steven Shapland,
left
, andDavid Seymour
Omfor beginners
If your little ones are stressedout by their busy lives, one Turkish
hotel has the answer. This summer sees the first season of yoga
for children aged six and up at theKempinski Hotel inBodrum.
Kidswill learn breathing techniques and simple poses through
storytelling – leaving you free towork on your own downward
dog... Or simply relax by the pool.
kempinski.com/bodrum
Miranda
Hennessy’s
top tips
for aspiring
female
comedians