South 'best for comedy'

The north is funnier than the south, organisers of a female comedy competition have claimed.

Would-be stand-ups from below the Watford Gap have flocked to enter the Funny Women competition, yet there’s been a distinct lack of response from the north and Scotland.  

There are currently more entrants taking part in the Brighton showcase, introduced for the first time  this year, than there are in the Dublin, Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester  heats combined.

That’s despite the thriving stand-up scene in Manchester; and Liverpudlians proud claim to have the best sense of humour in the country.

Producer Lynne Parker said: “We had a similar  situation in Liverpool last year, but we appealed  for more entries and Lindzi Germain, from that heat, made it  into the final.”

She is especially surprised at the lack of interest in Ireland, too, given that nine of the ten finalists in last year’s Babycham-sponsored competition had Irish blood.

“Talent appears to migrate, but we are keen to see the Irish women perform on home territory,” Parker added.

Published: 12 Apr 2005