CW: Discussion of sexual assault
ICYMI: The next wave of Aussie female comics have crossed the pond to head over to Edinburgh Fringe - and we were lucky to chat to up-and-coming comedians Shyaire Ganglani, Freddie Arthur and Laura Rose before they headed over. This amazing group of young female comedians are changing the way comedy is done - and playing a small part in driving change across a traditionally male-dominated industry.
So, what got them into comedy in the first place?
“I was very lonely so I started going on dates. People were always telling me I was funny but this one guy kept telling me I should actually be a comedian,” Freddie tells Missing Perspectives.
“I’d grown up hearing that women aren’t funny so I didn’t even consider it but then he took me on a surprise date to a comedy show and I remember thinking, ‘Yeah maybe I could do this actually’. We didn’t see each other for long because he ended up sleeping with four other people and then realising he was still in love with a woman he hadn’t seen in ten years. But I kept going to stand up comedy because most open mic nights are free and I was still very poor. And after a couple of months I got up and did my first set.”
Similar to Freddie, Shyaire got into comedy largely by accident.
“I got into comedy the way most people get into awkward situations…. by accident. Growing up, I realised that making people laugh was the best way to avoid getting grounded. But to be honest, the turning point kind of came when a white male comic mistook me for another woman on the Brown Women Comedy lineup,” she says.
“I’d never done comedy before that, only spoken word poetry, so I went to watch the show. Turns out nobody really looked like me but I did end up writing a short set, doing as many open mics as I could find until eventually, I ended up on the lineup for Brown Women Comedy and now we’re bringing it to Edinburgh! It’s all come full circle.”
For Laura Rose - who (literally) grew up on a pineapple farm in QLD, she had always felt like she was “missing something” while at university and working.
“It took a worldwide pandemic and me turning 30 to look back and realise I wasn’t getting any younger. I always had a career to fall back on, a loving husband and well, with age, I started to stop caring what people thought. So I thought, fuck it.” And we're so glad she did.
The three comedians acknowledge that starting out as young women in a traditionally male dominated space has had its challenges - which continue to play out in the space.
“Six months into stand up I had a male MC tell me, ‘Don’t worry about getting home safe tonight love - you’re too ugly to be raped.’ The most disappointing thing about this incident was that when I spoke about it on socials (without mentioning the man by name), an established female comedian quickly came to his defence and accused me of lying,” says Freddie.
“It made me wonder if I’d ever be able to succeed at comedy, or anything at all, because I’m always going to be outspoken and people often don’t like that. I decided I’d rather be mouthy and unpopular than let people get away with rubbish behaviour.
"I do worry sometimes that it’ll stop me from getting opportunities and I think sometimes it does, but most of the time it helps me connect with other like-minded people. I do think a lot of bookers are more conscious of booking a diverse lineup but that doesn’t mean they’re actively ensuring the space is a safe place for the people on that lineup. And even when women, trans and POC people are booked, I find they’re less likely to be given a headline spot.”
Laura and Shyaire experienced similar pushback when entering the industry. “‘You’re pretty funny for a chick’ or ‘Who did you suck off to get this gig?’ are common phrases I’ve heard time and time again," says Laura. "As a woman, it’s a heavily dominated male industry and I feel like there is a lot of stigma being a female comedian, so much more pressure to be good straight off the bat.
“In the last three years since I started, there has been a positive push forward but there is still a long way to go. A lot of old male comics live by the old sword and in a way hold the industry back with their views on what they believe audiences think will be funny and how many women are too many in a line up.”
For Shyaire, “When I first started, the comedy scene was like a boys' locker room - smelly and full of bad jokes. But things are changing. Female comedians are finally getting the recognition they deserve. It's no longer just about being funny 'for a woman'; it's about being funny, period. But yes, there's still a way to go. We must continue the push until we can safely say the industry is as diverse as my failed punchline collection.”
Shyaire says that showing that comedy “isn’t just for guys named Dave, Tom, Chris and Steve” is one of the most important elements of getting more young women into comedy. “Representation is key. We need more platforms for diverse voices, mentorship programs, and comedy festivals that aren't just an all-male parade. I think by hosting workshops, writer groups, safe spaces for them to learn and grow, and most importantly showing them people like them exist,” she says. “I host a few things now like Funny for A Foreigner or Brown Women Poetry that is exclusively for women or people of colour. It makes a huge difference.”
Looking forward, the trio are still in disbelief that they are now off to Edinburgh Fringe. “To be honest I’m just so amazed that I’m even going. Considering that two years ago I was struggling to leave my own bedroom it’s pretty amazing that I’m heading overseas,” says Freddie, who'll be performing in various shows across the Fringe, including Lolyamorous and Never Date a Comedian.
Shyaire notes that this year, Brown Women Comedy is hitting the Edinburgh Fringe, and it's the first time outside Australia. “We’re moving the diaspora and including British and American Indian comics, not just Aussies and Kiwis. It’s going to be so exciting, especially since I’m producing and performing after almost two years in comedy. Expect a mix of stand-up, songs, all delivered by incredibly talented brown women ready to shake things up. Think of it as a cultural buffet with extra spice and a side of chai-tea-trauma.”
Laura, whose show Laura Rose BUSHPIG will be kicking off on the 19th, emphasises that going to the other side of the world means going into a “blank canvas (no friends or family to fill seats) and competing against 4,000 other fringe shows. I’m planning on working hard everyday, flyering my heart out on the old cobbled streets and advertising on other shows at night to get some bums in seats."
Edinburgh Fringe will run from the 1st - 26th of August.