Celebrating women
As Edinburgh gears up for another Fringe festival, we look at some of the best British female comics from the event over the years
CATHERINE TATE
After three series of The Catherine Tate Show, her character Lauren Cooper’s catchphrase ‘Am I bovvered?’ has become one of the most recognisable comedy quotes of all time. Catherine’s breakthrough from stand-up into TV actually began at a 2004 Edinburgh festival after-party, when the then controller of comedy at the BBC approached the comedian, now 53, and encouraged her to develop her characters, including Lauren. The rest is history.
VICTORIA WOOD
From Dinnerladies to As Seen on TV, Victoria Wood’s sketches remain some of the best-loved television moments ever, but her live shows – including 1983 Fringe show, Lucky Bag – proved she was a dab hand at musical comedy too. The late star, who passed away aged 62 in 2016, still inspires much of the comedy world today.
SHAPARAK KHORSANDI
A legend of Fringe, Shaparak (formerly Shappi) has performed at the festival numerous times since 2000. The 49-year-old Iranian-born British comic often references her experience immigrating to the UK back in the 70s, as well as being a female in a very male-dominated industry in her stand-up routines.
MIRANDA HART
Before she was a sitcom regular, Miranda Hart, now 50, cut her comedy teeth writing characterbased material for the Edinburgh festival, returning year after year in the early noughties. Her 2005 show, Miranda Hart’s House Party, even formed the basis for her successful BBC show, Miranda. >>
MEL AND SUE
Mel Giedroyc, 55, and Sue Perkins, 53, met as members of Cambridge University’s Footlights troupe, but it was after they were shortlisted for Edinburgh festival’s 1993 Best Newcomers Award that they started to gain traction on the comedy circuit. Writing for French & Saunders led to Channel 4 show Light Lunch, and from 2010-16, they hosted The Great British Bake Off.
FRENCH & SAUNDERS
When Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders met as students at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama back in 1978, one of the most beloved female comic duos was formed. The pair, who performed cabaret at the Fringe in the early 80s as well as dominating London’s underground comedy scene, went on to star in six series of their sketch show for the BBC. The ladies have gone on to hugely successful solo projects, but reunited in 2020 for podcast Titting About.
JO BRAND
She’s both performed and judged competitions at the Edinburgh event over the years, and her dry wit and sarcasm has seen her sell out more tours – and appear on more panel shows – than we can shake a stick at. With several books to her name too, 65-year-old Jo is a woman of many talents.
