...after founder Lynne Parker is named 'most inspiring businesswoman'

Funny Women is rolling out its comedy networking scheme The Glitter Project to six English regions, following its success at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Called The Glitter Project: A Safe Place, the initiative will connects female and non-binary comedy performers in London, Medway, Brighton, Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester.

It offers mentoring meet-up sessions and open mic  events to give female and non-binary performers stage time.

Funny Women founder Lynn Parker said: ‘Despite our campaigning, women are still underrepresented in the historically male-dominated creative industries and there has been an increase in women voicing their experiences of sexism and sexual misconduct across the arts. There is still a need for safe places for all of us at different life stages.’

The scheme has been extended thanks to a  National Lottery grant awarded via Arts Council England.

And Parker says her longer-term goal is to establish a ‘Glitter Fund’ to help fund women who don’t have the financial means to pursue a comedy career. 

The Glitter Project with the Panel Prize at the Jones Bootmaker (ISH) Edinburgh Comedy Awards in August, while Paker was this month named most inspiring businesswoman in the The Best Businesswomen Award.

She said of her accolade: ‘I’m truly honoured, if a little bit shellshocked…  but after 22 years it’s very welcome. This is my life’s work and I accept this award on behalf of all the amazing women who inspire me, day in day out.’

The inspiration for The Glitter Project is Jo Fletcher-Cross, one of Funny Women’s non-executive directors and a comedian, who was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma brain tumour on the eve of her Edinburgh debut in 2022.

The next Glitter Project: A Safe Place event takes place on October 28 at the Museum of Comedy, London. All dates and venues scheduled so far are listed here. To get involved or book a slot at an open mic event, email info@funnywomen.com

Published: 18 Oct 2024