Ten shows about feminism – and beyond

1.Bridget Christie

The frontwoman for feminism in comedy since winning the Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2013 (making a perhaps unlikely link between sponsor Foster’s and gender equality), Christie is back in the Stand at an ungodly hour for a show to coincide with the publication of her entertaining new Book For Her earlier this month, charting her personal journey through the subject via stand-up. Our review of the book is here. The Stand, 11am

2. Kate Smurthwaite

One of the fellow feminist comics cited by Christie as paving the way for her own work is Kate Smurthwaite, returning to the Fringe for her tenth solo show. She’s a regular writer about the cause, and guest on countless topical TV shows, including Question Time last year – but was less welcome at Goldsmith’s College in London. A gig was pulled there earlier this year because the institution couldn’t guarantee her safety after getting in a disagreement ahead of time about the best way to help women who work as prostitutes (or maybe the burqa, it was hard to tell amid all the anger)… Ciao Roma 20:20

3. Miranda Kane

Talking of the sex industry, Miranda Kane use to work in it – a job she mines for anecdotes now she’s a stand-up. She’s just had her first sitcom, commissioned for a pilot episode by Audible.com – and no surprises that it’s about a suburban dominatrix. And Hugh Dennis is to play one of her clients. The Coin Operated Girl is her first-hand look at a mist unusual industry. Liquid Room Annexe, 16:05

4. Sarah Franken

As we reported at the weekend, the character comedian formerly known as Will Franken is now know as Sarah, since coming out of the closet about his female personality. She says she will address the issue during her show, Who Keeps Making All These People, with ‘more honesty than I have ever revealed onstage… A window will be opened – albeit briefly – onto an aspect of myself I had long kept hidden.’ The Stand 5&6, 21:00

5. Nicci Take

Prey is the story of how a successful businessman cross-dressed to change the way his staff saw him, and how that changed his view of the world. Nicci Take’s show is described as ‘a funny, lop-sided view of gender, life and business’ and about how men are predators, but don’t know it. Liquid Room Annexe 20:45

6. Kirsty Mac

Kirsty Mac spearheaded a campaign to have creepy pick-up artist Julien Blanc’s ‘seminars’ cancelled in her native Australia. She brings feminism to her debut stand-up show Feminazi, too, a hard-edged attack on some men’s attitudes which picked up good reviews over the Australian festival season earlier this year. Gilded Balloon, 23:15

7. Zoe Coombs Marr

What better way to parody gender roles than by taking the direct approach. A sort of reverse drag act, Australian character comic Zoe Coombs Marr performs as Dave, an uncouth blokish stand-up that the Guardian called ‘a black mirror on the Australian male psyche’.Underbelly Cowgate, 21:20

8. Female Personality of the Year

Five Cambridge students past and present have created this satirical take on the representation of women in the media. Set in the studio of the live finale of a fictional awards show, it aims to parody the portrayal of successful women, usually via their wardrobe. Character include art historian Valerie Davis, CEO and mother of six Ruth Sharp, pop star Kooki Lund and chef Dolly Norris. C Nova 22:01, August 16-31 only

9. Miss Glory Pearl

Also known as The Naked Stand-up, this cabaret performer promises a ‘funny and heartfelt exploration of the body’ though feminist cliché, impossible beauty standards – and getting her kit off. Spotlites, 23:00, to 15th only

10. Adrienne Truscott

Getting naked was what got Adrienne Truscott attention two yeas back, when she performed bottomless in her Edinburgh Comedy Award panel-prize-winning show about rape. Clearly aware of the expectations that carries, she’s cheekily called this year’s show Adrienne Truscott’s A One-Trick Pony! and refers to herself as GPRL (Gimmicky Pantsless Rape Lady)… although this time she promises us that the show is NOT about rape. Gilded Balloon, 20:15, to 17th only

Published: 29 Jul 2015