Funny Women Awards and debate

The Funny Women Awards makes its annual stop off in Liverpool tomorrow night, as one of its regional heats ahead of the final in September. As well as the evening event, it is hosting an afternoon 'women in comedy' debate. The event, held at the Bluecoat on Saturday at 12pm, is being chaired by Lynne Parker from Funny Women, who has recently come under fire for her decision to start charging amateur comics to take part in the competition. The female role in the comedy industry has certainly changed over the last half century, but what position is the comedy industry currently in for women? How have these changes affected existing comedy professionals, and potential newcomers to the industry? Why do the majority of women in the industry tend to work behind the scenes rather than on the stage? What challenges do women face in the comedy industry, both in front of and behind the curtain? Discussing all this and much more, plus audience questions, will be performers Bryony Kimmings and Shaista Aziz, the Liverpool Comedy Trust's Sam Avery and Krystal Clarke, who founded the city's first all-female comedy night. Entry is £2.