Raising The Bar and The Ceiling - Funny Women MTL
Sarah Warren captivates the room, radiating with positive energy that spreads to everyone around her. The first time I saw her she was walking into a comedy show wearing a leather jacket, and I felt like her confidence could move mountains. Through the years, I've marveled at her uniquely spectacular comedy style, effortlessly transforming difficult topics into easy laughter. And her strong character is further underscored by her unwavering support for women in comedy.
A year ago Sarah and I sat together to go over some of our comedy woes (AKA grant writing), and over my third cup of coffee, she told me about Funny Women, where her comedy journey started in Amsterdam.
Funny Women began in the UK in 2002, organized by Lynne Parker. Parker was sick of comedy spaces being dominated by men and the narrative that women don’t carry the same calibre of humour. Their goal was simple yet challenging: to see and support more women in comedy spaces. Now 20 years later, they are responsible for helping to showcase some of the biggest female comedians from the UK, Europe, and Australia. Aside from comedy shows, they organize comedy workshops and the very popular Funny Women Awards. Most importantly, they provide ongoing encouragement and support to get more femme comedians on stage.
When Sarah first told me about this initiative, she enthusiastically mentioned that she would love to bring this show to Montreal, and how beneficial it would be for all of us. Her experience with Funny Women has always been nothing short of exceptional. She recalls, “It was always so nice to be creative in a space that was filled with like-minded people and in an environment that was safe and productive. The audiences were always kind and there to support!”. Within a year of her first open mic, she headlined a Funny Women show, commanding the stage for a full 20 minutes.
Many seasoned female comedians can unfortunately identify with the following: When I started comedy there were very few women in the scene. I could count them on one hand. Now there is a lot of femme talent, and we are truly a force. However, we still feel and see the barriers, the walls, the glass ceiling. As such, there is often pressure for perfection, unequal treatment, and a fight for stage time.
Fortunately, thanks to Sarah and her co-producers from PeachClub, Cat and Margaux, Funny Women MTL is finally here! It’s happening! PeachClub is a Montreal production company that produces comedy, cabaret, and nightlife events. When Sarah got the green light to produce this show in Montreal, she knew she didn’t want to do it alone. She wanted partners with morals and standards that aligned with Funny Women and herself, to ensure the success of the event.
Sarah and the team behind Funny Women have a simple, yet profound, goal: they want to see women at the mic, getting stage time, and getting paid (equally). On April 7th, Sarah will take over The Wiggle Room, alongside a lineup of spectacular talent as she hosts the inaugural Funny Women MTL. Opening the show are Raquel Maestre, Elie Gill, and Sandy, with Elspeth Wright and Mariam Khan headlining.
The immediate goal of Funny Women MTL is to host a monthly show, providing female comedians with longer sets to showcase their talent. The producers of this show are determined to open doors, break down walls, and smash those glass ceilings for women. In comedy, live recordings are invaluable, helping performers submit to festivals (and even the Funny Women Awards), or grow their popularity on social media. Funny Women MTL aims to give performers a stellar recording, making opportunities that much more accessible.
The future of Funny Women MTL is bright. Sarah hopes to expand based on the community's needs, just like the original Funny Women did over the years. This might involve writing courses, events with keynote speakers, and even an open mic, the possibilities are endless. Above all, Sarah, and Funny Women MTL, strives to create safe, supportive spaces, where women can learn, grow, and most importantly, thrive.
