Are these Britain's funniest new women?

Award finalists announced

The finalists of this year’s Funny Women competition have been unveiled, following two semi-finals in London’s Leicester Square Theatre last night.

Twelve newish stand-ups, including acts from Italy , Norway and Greece, will perform at the Comedy Store on September 21 for the title – and a holiday in Cyprus.

Chosen from more than 250 entries, they are:

  • Catherine Semark , a communications skills coach
  • Charlie Covell, the youngest finalist at age 25
  • Domestic Goddi, double header sketch comedy from Helen O’Brien and Genevieve Swallow.
  • Elizabeth Mee, a 55-year-old solicitor
  • Eve Webster, a young impressionist whose repertoire includes Amy Winehouse and Ann Widdecombe
  • Giada Garofalo , an Italian stand up who discusses Silvio Berlusconi’s political and sexual antics
  • Jo Selby, in character as Russian Tatania
  • Katarina Vrana, high energy Greek comedian
  • Marie Vagen, a 40-year-old Norweigan
  • Miss London, 'sharp, sassy black comedy'
  • Rhona McKenzie, a Scotiish comedian who suffers brittle bone disease
  • Tania Edwards,a previous finalist in the Amused Moose competition.

Funny Women producer Lynne Parker, said: ‘We’ve seen a much more diverse range of female comedy talent this year in many different styles and across a wide range of ages, nationality, ethnicity and sexuality. We’ve proved that Funny Women is a fully inclusive platform for female comedy and I am delighted with the competition this year, particularly when lack of sponsorship funding has made it more difficult.'

The final, hosted by Jan Ravens, will be judged by a panel of industry judges including Comedy Central’s Sarah Farrell, Loose Women creator Dianne Nelmes, agent Lucy Ansbro, Radio 4’s Caroline Raphael, BBC executive editor of comedy entertainment Katie Taylor, and Sky TV’s Lucy Lumsden.

Published: 8 Sep 2009

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