International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women around the world, while also recognising the challenges they continue to face. For centuries, performing arts have been a space where women have fought to carve out their place and comedy has been no exception. From battling societal expectations to overcoming industry bias, women in the arts have been on a long journey to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
This International Women’s Day 2025, we wanted to highlight the issues women in comedy and arts have faced over the centuries – and that many still continue to face to this day. Alongside discussing what this day means to Misti Heslop, our venue coordinator and the amazing event organiser for Let’s Go Girls, our International Womans Day 2025 event.
Women in Comedy: Breaking Stereotypes, One Laugh at a Time
Comedy has long been a male-dominated industry. For decades, the stereotype persisted that women weren’t “funny enough” to hold their own on stage or screen. Women often faced dismissive attitudes, fewer opportunities, and the added pressure of proving their worth in a space that was unwelcoming at best and hostile at worst. Despite this, trailblazing women in comedy have paved the way for future generations to step onto the stage with confidence.
Take icons like Lucille Ball, who revolutionised television comedy in the 1950s. Or Joan Rivers, whose sharp wit and audacious humour broke barriers for female comedians throughout the 20th century. These women challenged societal norms and demanded a place in an industry that often pushed them to the side lines.
In the UK, we’ve seen incredible talents such as Victoria Wood. Her observational humour captured British life with a sharp yet relatable edge. And what about Jo Brand, who brought a unique voice to stand-up comedy and tackled topics often avoided by her male counterparts. Today, numerous female and gender non-confirming comedians continue to challenge stereotypes and redefine what it means to be a comedian, which is what our monthly comedy night Down the Hatch is dedicated to.
Progress and Power: Women Redefining the Arts
Despite obstacles, such as lack of representation and pay disparity, biases and stereotyping, women in the arts have achieved extraordinary milestones. The rise of social media platforms has given comedians a direct line to their audiences, bypassing traditional gatekeepers. TV shows such as Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag or Michaela Coel’s I May Destroy You have won critical acclaim and brought fresh, authentic perspectives to audiences around the world.
In theatre, more women are stepping into leadership roles, with playwrights like Lucy Kirkwood and directors such as Marianne Elliott breaking new ground. Meanwhile, organisations and initiatives aimed at supporting women in the arts, such as the Women in Comedy Festival, are helping to create more opportunities for female creatives.
Looking Ahead: A Future of Equality and Opportunity
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, and the progress made, we acknowledge that there is still plenty of work to be done to achieve equity, fair pay, and more diverse representation in every corner of the industry.
For women in comedy and the performing arts, every joke told, every character played, and every story shared is an act of rebellion, reclamation, and empowerment. By breaking down barriers and challenging outdated norms, they are shaping a world where future generations of women and gender non-confirming folk can step into the spotlight with confidence, knowing their voices matter.
We also regularly host Funny Women live in Brighton. The longest standing and most successful Funny Women comedy night in all of the UK, showcasing the very best in new female-identifying and non-binary comedy talent. With acts from the Funny Women Awards, the professional circuit, and upcoming talent too.
Happy International Women’s Day 2025, Brighton! Here’s to the women who take the stage and defy the odds.
Let’s Go Girls
This Saturday the 8th of March, the date of International Women’s Day 2025 (and Misti’s Birthday – we can’t forget!), we’re holding a party in celebration of women in pop music with an exclusively female pop artist-filled night of fun! But what does this event mean to the Woman who organises it? Here are some words from Misti on what IWD means to her, and why you should grab your besties and step into your girly pop fantasy at Let’s Go Girls.
What international Women’s Day means to me
International Women’s Day means a lot to me. Not only because it was the day I was born into this world and will forever be a double celebration of me, but to celebrate all of the truly amazing women in our lives and beyond feels so empowering.
I have always had a love for the arts and especially music, being a musician. I started out playing in a marching band for The Girls Brigade at aged 8, playing every instrument I could get my hands on, then being the daughter of a guitarist I eventually let my dad teach me guitar and that one stuck. Going on to being a solo singer-songwriter from around the age of 15 and then playing any open mic spots (or buskers night as we would call it in the North East!) in pretty much all of the old man pubs in Tyne & Wear. I once had a man say to me at round the age of 16-17 that I “played Jimi Hendrix quite well for a girl”. I am pretty sure this was the exact day that I thought myself as a feminist. Why did he have to mention because that it was good because I’m a girl and wasn’t it just a good cover of Jimi Hendrix? Apparently not!
Why am I putting on Let’s Go Girls?
Putting on an event on IWD has always appealed to me, to create a safe and fun space for women and LGBTQ+, and to showcase the talent within the industry, because there is just so much out there. Previously I had put on a gig in the Studio Bar with headliners Knife Bride, my own band and Smoke Filled Room, but wanted to do something a little different this time. The idea of Let’s Go Girls came about because even though I love a bit of heavy music, I am always up for a good boogie to some pop bangers!
Why Should everyone and their Mum come to Let’s Go Girls?
It feels quite nice to be able to put on your own club night, so you can also choose what you want to be played! There are not many club nights out there you will hear La Roux, and that’s exactly what I wanna hear with a lovely cold pint of lager in my hand, so that’s what you will hear at Let’s Go Girls. I’m hoping that this will especially appeal to those who are my age too *cough* nearing on my late 20s, there will definitely be a good few songs from the 2000s/2010s on there, there’s something about that era of music that feels so iconic.
I wanted to bring back our youth with this club night, that’s why the poster was inspired by Girl Talk magazine and others from that time, the poster was created by our amazing box office / marketing queen, Bettie White. We spend a lot of our time together reminiscing on being a young girl in the 2000s, our rooms being plastered in Groovy Chick merchandise, watching Tracy Beaker on repeat and begging our parents to buy the latest Girl Talk or Sugar magazine, just to get the free hairbrush or lipstick. It’s memories like this, that bring you together as an adult.
I’ll see you at the dancefloor!
