£15 fee, despite sponsorship cash

Funny Women is continuing to charge would-be comedians £15 to perform – even though it has secured sponsorship for its annual competition.

Organisers faced a storm of protest last year from comics including Sarah Millican, Shappi Khorsandi and Jo Caulfield after introducing the 'pay-to-play' fee – making it the first major competition to do so.

Critics said it was exploiting inexperienced acts, although organisers argued the fee was essential to cover running costs.

The 2012 competition was officially launched yesterday – with the £15 charge still in place, despite winning the sponsorship deals.

The main prize this year is called the Benefit Funny Women Award, in honour of the cosmetics company backing it.

Organisers say the first prize is worth £2,000 which includes a 'development package' with Funny Women and Red 24 Management, whose biggest client is Earl Okin, plus £500 worth of Benefit products.

Kyra Oates, head of promotions for Benefit said the sponsorship deal was perfect because their range of make-up is all about 'empowerment' – just like the awards. 'Funny Women is all about empowering women which is what we do through our products,' she claimed.

Funny Women also has a variety award for the best new sketch, character or speciality act, which is sponsored by Blue Nun wine.

Julia Savage of the Brand Placement Agency, said: 'Laughter, just like a good glass of wine, connects people.'

But the decision to maintain the £15 entry fee has again attracted criticism.

Ashley Frieze, one of the comedians who set up the grassroots Funny's Funny competition last year in response to the play-to-play controversy said: 'In their 10th year, Funny Women are choosing to continue their exploitative business model, unfairly charging the very people they claim to be trying to support.

'On top of that, it's unclear what they really offer in career terms for female comedians. Funny Women has limited involvement in the mainstream comedy industry and runs shows for its own audiences, which has little impact on the balance of gender in the industry as a whole.

'I am unclear of Funny Women's actual motivations, but they've clearly found a way of making money from comedians, and I would recommend any act of any gender to steer clear of pay-to-play schemes - there are much better ways to spend that same money.'

As well as the awards and promoting their own shows, Funny Women runs workshops and training sessions aimed at 'helping women to find their voice'.

Funny Women has not responded to Chortle's request for comment about charging performers, despite being sponsored.

But in a press release, Parker said: 'I know that every woman has it in her to be funny and we help them to express it. Not every woman has the confidence to show up at her local comedy club and perform, as the circuit is still very much a male domain.'

The Funny Women Awards are open to new female acts and writers with less than five years’ experience. And £15.

Published: 22 Mar 2012