Female stand-ups quit Fringe play

The production of The Guid Sisters had featured the likes of Rosie Wilby, JoJo Sutherland and Karen Bayley and had intended to give female stand-ups a chance to hone their dramatic skillsk.

But earlier this week, Ruth Bratt, pictured, Frances Healey and Julia Sutherland walked out of the production, citing vague ‘professional and personal reasons’.

At the time, director Gowan Calder had promised to rework the show, adding: ‘We are sorry to have lost them but the remaining sisters are now doing it for themselves.’

But today Ashley Storrie - daughter of established Fringe comic Janey Godley – also quit for the same reason, and the show, part of the Laughing Horse Free Festival, was left ‘irretrievable’.

Producer Lynne Parker – who was promoting the show under her Funny Women brand – said: ‘This is a disappointment to the remaining hardworking cast.’

Alan Carr had been scheduled to make a cameo appearance in tomorrow night’s performance, but in a statement, Parker added: ‘We have to cancel Saturday's show because our re-worked version relied on the interaction of all the cast members, to support Alan in particular. Sadly it is now not workable.

‘I have been producing stand-up comedy for five years and have always been impressed by the incredible teamwork of the women who take part in our stand up shows. The opportunity to extend this camaraderie into a theatrical production was very exciting.’

The show, in Ego at Picardy Place, will be replaced by a showcase of female stand-ups from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

Published: 10 Aug 2007