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Winner funniest woman at Funny Woman awards

Scottish stand-up comedian Janey Godley was announced winner of this year’s NIVEA Funny Women Fringe Award held last night, Monday 11th August 2008 at the Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh.

The Fringe Award, which was created by Funny Women in 2007 to recognise women in comedy and to highlight the imbalance of female nominations and winners in the mainstream awards which are a feature of the Edinburgh Fringe, included nominations from a wide variety of female comedy acts being staged at this year’s Fringe.

The overall award given to the show that best embodies the spirit of female comedy at the Fringe was awarded to Janey Godley, described as one of the most prolific and extraordinary stand-up comedians working in the UK today. The runners up were Angry Puppy and Pippa Evans and other lonely people.

The Scottish stand up comic, actor, playwright and winner of the £1,000 cash prize, Janey Godley, won the award with her show Domestic Godley described as real life comedy from a real woman.

Janey Godley writes a popular column in ‘The Scotsman’ and is regular guest on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Just a Minute’. In 2005 Janey published her autobiography ‘Handstands in the Dark’ which was number 3 bestseller in Scotland. Nominated in 2006 as ‘Scotswoman of the Year’ in 2006 Janey also finds time to work unofficially within the Scottish Court system advising women bringing abuse cases. Janey Godley in Domestic Godley, The Pleasance Queen Dome - 7.00pm - daily till August 25th.

Self proclaimed ‘Sketch show with bite’ runner up Angry Puppy, co-produced by the multi-award winning Comedy Unit whose other works include the 2007 Edinburgh smash-hit Ugly Kid and television sketch comedies Chewin' the Fat and Rab C Nesbitt,. Angry Puppy are Leah MacRae, Susan Calman, Marj Hogarth, Kirstin McLean. Performances at The Stand Comedy Club Edinburgh until the 25th of August.

Newcomer to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Pippa Evans was also runner up at the awards with her show Pippa Evans and other lonely People. Pippa studied drama and theatre arts at Birmingham University, before turning to stand-up and improvisation. Pippa regularly performs with Improvedy and The Scratch Players. Pippa Evans and other lonely people are appearing at the Pleasance Courtyard daily until August 24th.

Christina McKelvie MSP who presented the 2008 NIVEA Funny Women Award said:

“Women’s humour has played a significant role in Scotland’s cultural identity over the generations. Scottish women who have faced challenging situations in their everyday lives have often survived poverty and oppression because of their humour. The NIVEA Funny Women Fringe Awards recognise very much the part women’s humour and comedy has, and still does play in empowering women.”

“Established women are playing at established venues, and the shortlist reflects this,” explains Lynne Parker, producer of Funny Women. “However, our panel has made a great effort to see a wide range of acts in the time frame in as many venues as possible.”

“It is important to celebrate female comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe, which is the world’s leading arts festival,” explains Lynne. “We have been at the vanguard of delivering new female comedy talent to eager audiences across the UK for six years, and this is our opportunity to reward and promote talented women at the Fringe.”

http://www.janeygodley.co.uk/

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Winner funniest woman at Funny Woman awards

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