Events impossible with Manchester in local lockdown

This year’s Women in Comedy festival has officially been cancelled.

The event had been due to take place from October 1 to 4 in venues across Manchester - but with the city in localised lockdown, indoor performances are currently banned.

Jessica Toomey, who runs the city’s Frog and Bucket club and helps organise the festival, said in a statement: ‘It is impossible for us to plan a festival and make the necessary investment in such a short period of time, especially when there is so much uncertainty. 

‘We will however put all of our energy into next year when we will bring it back bigger and better than ever. In the meantime, we will be planning some one-off events and initiatives over the next 12 months so we can continue championing and supporting women in comedy.’

This year’s event would have been the eighth, and only shows from Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Eleanor Conway (pictured) had been announced.

Published: 27 Aug 2020