The lights dimmed as I was pounding my second coffee and 3rd mini donut and with the opening line “What happens in this room stays in this room; like Fight Club”, the promisingly titled discussion was off to a bold start.
Viv Grosskop was the leading host of the five self-proclaimed, and publicly acclaimed, funny women that made up the afternoon’s panel show. The writer, comedian and Funny Women Awards finalist was indeed likeable and a good choice of host but centre stage was undoubtedly stolen by 77 year old Lynn Ruth Miller. The San Franciscan decided at 71 to get into stand-up comedy in order to “get women to realise they’re more than just a vagina and a dishwasher”. More than just a hoot, she was an inspiration. Her self-confidence and admittedly “blue” comedy was refreshingly encouraging. As was her conviction that she didn’t really start living until she was 60.
The other women ranged in age, profession and beliefs but all shared the common aim of giving women a voice: a platform to express themselves in a truthful and honest way. Their chosen way just happens to be comedy.
However, sadly, although entertaining, the Tesco Value confectionaries weren’t the only areas in which the event fell short. I found for proud feminists, the panel’s tendency to generalise “women” as if they were a single unit of shared ideas and feelings (particularly on the subject of child-bearing) at times ignorant. There were numerous moments where I heartily disagreed with their resounding agreements on the way women are and what women want. For instance their consensus that one reason women aren’t successful in stand up comedy is because they don’t like life on the road; “shlepping” up and down the motorway or being away from their loved ones, which apparently men love. Nor did the claim that “women are more frightened of success than they are of failure” wash well with me.
Whilst this may have been merely lack of eloquence under the pressure of speaking live against four other feisty females, I would have appreciated more awareness in their arguments.
Nevertheless, the floor was soon opened up to the audience and equal opportunity was given to those wishing to speak their mind.
Mostly it was an enjoyable event with the chance to hear from five interesting, inspiring and successful women. The title however is disappointingly misleading. Whilst there were indeed lies and some (mediocre) cake, sex and actual comedy was decidedly absent.