With the dust of the final showcase having settled, the finalists of
the Babycham Funny Women Comedy Awards 2004 competition have
been announced.
They are (in no particular order): Bridget Christie – London event, Roisin
Conaty - London event (and who opened the entire competition proving that being
first does not hinder your chances), Anna Crilly - Bristol
event, Lindzi Germain – Liverpool event, Susan Hanks – Manchester event, Sarah
Ledger – Glasgow event, Live! At The Mausoleum – London event, Zoe Lyons -
London event, Millie & Tillie – London event, Janice Phayre – London
event.
The competition was very strong this year in both talent and numbers, with
over 100 women seen in nine showcases all over the country, representing a 33%
increase in contestants from last year.
This year’s final is on Monday 12th July at the Comedy Store in London and
will be hosted by the fabulous and accomplished Jo Caulfield. The 10 finalists
will battle it out in front of a panel of seven judges which includes: Lucy
Lumsden, of BBC Commissioning (Catherine Tate Show and 3 Non-Blondes), Steve
Bennett from fellow UK comedy portal Chortle.co.uk, Toni Arthur-Hay - TV
presenter, writer and director, Melanie Coupland from Talkback Management,
Yvonne Morrison - comedy booker and promoter, Jeremy Austin, news editor of The
Stage and Linda Smith, writer and comic.
The winner will be handed a cheque for £2,000, and invited to perform at
‘Funny Women at the Fringe’ during the last week of the Edinburgh Festival this
year. Two runners up will each receive £500.
All ticket proceeds from the final of the Awards will be donated to charities
that help and heal women. This year’s beneficiaries are: Jo’s Trust - raising
money and awareness for cervical cancer, sometimes known as ‘the silent killer’
and a programme for YWCA England and Wales called ‘Wise Up’ helping women facing
complex difficulties and social exclusion, many of whom have had negative
experiences of formal education. For further info please go to: www.ywca-gb.org.uk or www.jotrust.co.uk.
