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| Compere Rosie Wilby |
A large group of women had turned up from Meetup group North London Gay Women and they took a large section of the side tables. I had arrived on my own and they were most welcoming and friendly and let me join them for a while before the show. Other people who I knew turned up (this inevitably happens on 99% of nights out on the LBQ scene in London!) and I sat with them to make space for all the other women turning up!
Rosie compered the evening expertly and introduced the acts. She got to know some of the audience, which revealed the interesting fact that Rosie has the ability to seek out people who play basketball from a room of lesbians – and no, the whole room didn’t play basketball (and neither does Rosie given her balloon bouncing attempt on stage!). Once we were all warmed up it was on with the acts!
Femmes by the Thames is more than just a bog standard stand up evening. The acts are more interactive, and more than just monologues - with character bits, songs and even poetry thrown in In the first half we were delighted to Caroline Hardie and Barbara Brownskirt.
Rosie introduced Barbara to us by explaining how she had been hiding behind stage for several hours and so may need the toilet. She told us (perhaps in jest?!) that a previous comedian guest had peed in a bottle.
Barbara Brownskirt introduced herself by coming on stage in a navy rain jacket with the hood up around her face. She describes herself as not being Clare Balding. She reached down for her bottle of water and announced that it did not, in fact, contain urine!
Barbara's comedy style is a very dry, humorous poetry recital. We were treated to Vol.16 Cramped Legs, Vol.12 Susan's Remains, Vol.16 Fallopian Telephone Calls from the Womb, and Vol.3 Furry Purses. My favourite by far was her poem, Judi Dench.
The second half acts were Sarah Campbell and Rachel Parris as Felice.
Sarah Campbell delighted as always with her slightly awkward comedy style. My highlight was her informing the 3 men at the back that they were currently experiencing what life as a lesbian is like all the time – to be a minority. Sarah describes herself as being mistaken as a teenage boy.
My favourite line from Sarah was when we asked who in the room was a worrier. Then she pointed out that all those who said yes were not, as the real worriers wouldn't put their hand up as they would be worried about it.
Sarah links up her comedy well, tying in jokes throughout her set.
Rachel Parris as Felice entered the stage and asked the lesbians to click along. It seems we weren't very musical as the room entered into out of time clicks. We were good for the clap but not for clicks!
The audience by this point were well liquored and Felice expertly managed one girl who was getting quite involved and replying to most of the rhetorical lines - asking her to meditate on it!
Felice's performance was by far the best one to end on as she ended on a phenomenal song of self belief that had the entire audience joining in.
This is a great night; although annual, so the next one is likely a year away, however thankfully if it is comedy you are after for the next 12 months you can enjoy Laughing Cows at Retro and Laughing Labia at SHE Soho so there is plenty of laughs to be had other than the ones at you for missing out this time around!
The event sold out in advance, so we recommend you join the mailing list, and buy tickets as soon as they are released.
Femmes by the Thames has its own website here: http://www.femmesbythethames.com
Femmes by the Thames on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/femmesbythethames
The night raised money for Diversity Role Models and was part of Wandsworth Arts Festival.
Review by Naomi
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