Top 5… Ladies to make you laugh
The first in our series of Top 5 recommendation series, this year we begin with the ladies who will make you laugh.
There are some damn funny ladies who perform in this country. In no particular order, we suggest:
1.   Upfront
Previously known as Upfront 8 (owing to the fact that eight performers usually graced the stage), Upfront is testament to the breadth of female talent in comedy. No longer a show featuring eight comics, it has now expanded to offer more ladies and more laughs. A great opportunity to see a range of funny women strut their stuff, a great place to happen upon new talent you might not have seen before.
2.   Judith Lucy
The undisputed queen of Australian comedy, this is Lucy’s 20th year of performing comedy. Those years have honed her talents into a style uniquely her own, and made her an icon in her own right. As an author and media personality Lucy is outstanding, but as a comic she is pure genius. Don’t miss the chance to see a full hour of her mind at work.
3.   Hannah Gadsby
Did you see her on the Gala? If, like us, that brief grab made you want to sit down and listen to what other magic may come from this talented woman, you’ll be pleased to hear Gadsby has three shows in the festival (not including her spot in Upfront, which takes the count to an impressive four). Her solo show, her show with Monica Dullard and her tour of the NGV. All are sure to have you laughing… which is kinda the point, yeah?
4.   Josie Long
Long visits us from the UK again this year. Her 2008 season at the MICF saw her earn a Barry nomination to add to her if.comedy Newcomer Award Edinburgh Fringe Festival from 2006. Each year at the festival there are a few internationals that don’t yet have a huge profile here, but prove to be must-see shows. Long’s performance promises to be a stand out.
5.   Courteney Hocking
Hocking is all about politics and pop-culture. But mostly politics. Her previous shows have proven that she is a home-grown local talent to look out for, and one of our personal favourites. She has written for Good News Week, performs regularly as part of the popular Anarchist Guild Society and has numerous solo shows under her wings. Hocking is whip smart, with a likeable stage presence that lulls you into a false sense of security. That is, until she applies that trademark wit in razor sharp fashion, making you realise there’s nothing fluffy about her… or her take on politics.
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I really like josie long last year and I want to go this year but I can’t afford it! I’m sad
Hmmm, I’m pretty sure the number following Upfront referred to the number of Upfronts there had been as opposed to how many comics were in the show… I could swear I worked on Upfront 13… but I could be wrong!
How did you leave Felicity Ward out of this list? She’s easily top 5 female comics going around at the moment.
Interesting I have heard that Upfront was not originally meant to be publicised as “lady comedy”, just as a top talent showcase. But marketing got hold of it, and due to the patriarchy in which we live, an all-men comedy showcase is just a showcase, but an all-women comedy showcase is a “parade of funny ladies”.
The Skirt Network event, Keep Your Skirt On, is definitely worth a mention – you can bet there will be few (if any) independently produced acts in Upfront.
Annah: Ah, the perils of MICF and our bank balances. We understand, trust us.
Gemma: You may very well be right, dear lady. We shall try to do some research and see what the deal is. We wrote that with the folklore we had heard in mind.
James: Unfortunately the Top 5 is, well, only 5. There were many, many more we would love to have mentioned. Happy to hear everyone else’s two cents…
Ben: That is interesting. This deserves some investimagitve detective/reporter work. We’ll get someone on it. And yes, thanks for mentioning Keep Your Skirt On, which we will certainly be in the audience for.
Upfront began in 1994, or maybe it was 93, at the Espy, as a showcase of women comedians. Since then it’s tended to be called Upfront 2, 3, 4, whatever year we’re up to. The performers on the lineup who are also in the Festival have their Festival seasons presented by a range of different producers, if that makes a difference to how funny they are.
Hi Toby,
Thanks for clearing that up for us, I’m glad to have it definitively explained.
with the all the above in mind…you should definitely come along to Keep Your Skirt On – we’re holding it this year in conjunction with Jeez Louise..and it features the likes of Felicity Ward (for the young lady that missed out the top), Geraldine Quinn, Alison Bice, Celia Pacquola (who just got a top notch review on Chortle), Em O’Loughlin, Wendy Little and heaps more.
Festival’s crawling with funny ladies this, well not crawling, they know how to walk…
Keep Your Skirt On – 7th April, Trades Hall.
Hey Lou,
I’m very excited about it, especially considering that lineup. And yes, there doesn’t seem to be a crawl in sight with the ladies at MICF. Hope you’re having a tops festival!
It’s a shame you can only choose five, because there’s a lot of good female comedians out there. Celia Pacquola springs to mind as a great up and coming talent.
I saw Hanah Gadsby and her show was really good. Someone else told me they had seen some of the material before but I’ve never seen her (except on the gala) and it was funny all the way through.
I think Alison Bice should be on this list!
Have you noticed the lack of women on the bill at this year’s festival? What’s going on there? I know comedy is a hard to break into boys club, but I seem to remember the past few years having some great women on stage. Sure, the awesomeness that is Judith Lucy is great to see again, but c’mon!
There’s also a lack of women being reviewed on this website (don’t worry – I don’t blame you – see my earlier comment about an overall lack of females festival-wide).
But something has to be done about this. Boo a few of the bigger male acts – make them feel self conscious enough to fuck off and get some new up and coming chicks!
I went to see the Skirt gig and it was awesome!!!!! Well done girls.
Hi Emily,
Believe it or not, the presence of women at this years comedy festival is bigger than ever:
Claire Hooper, Judith Lucy, Denise Scott, Hannah Gadsby, Halley Metcalf, Felicity Ward, Eva Johanssen, Alison Bice, Josie Long, Maeve Higgins, Nina Conti, Celia Pacquola, Janeane Garafolo, Sarah Benetto, Janelle Koenig, Lana Schwarz, Kelly Fastuca, Clem Bestow, Brenna Courtnry-Glazebrook, Michelle Crotty, Julia Clark, Laura Davis, Courteney Hocking, Deborah Francis White, Kat C, Linda Beaty, Dolls Cabaret, Karin Muzieniks (I know I spelt her name wrong), Em O’Loghlin, Fiona O’Lochlin, Wendy Little and I’m sure I’ve also missed a heap as well – but yes, there is always room for more – we’re getting there
and me (Lou Sanz).
Love
The Skirts
I saw World War Wonderful last night and it was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen!!! Srsly funny ladies!!!
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