Get ready to witness three of the country's
most unapologetically funny women take the stage and leave you in stitches. The
third installment of the Royal Opera House Comedy Series is here, packed with
humor, wit, and a lot of laughs.
Whether it is relatable everyday quirks or clever insights into the world
around us, these women will have you hooked from the first joke to the last.
The powerhouses of talent - Anu Menon,
Sonali Thakkar, and Kajol Srinivasan
are ready to bring the house down with their razor-sharp wit and infectious
humor.
Bring your friends, family, and anyone who loves a good laugh. This is one
evening you won’t want to miss!
Anu Menon did a masters in drama in London and moved to Bombay to pursue her first love- the stage. For 8 years she was better know As her alter-ego Vj Lola Kutty on channel V. Her stage credits include Lillete Dubey's Sammy, Raell Padamsee's Hidden Agendas, Divya Palat's A personal War (that won at the Edinburgh Theatre festival) Rage's One on One - part 1&2 and Qtp's God of Carnage. Anu does stand up as well and opened for Brad Sherwood and Colin Mochrie of Whose Line is it anyway fame during their India tour. Her stand up special "Wonder Menon" is the first Indian female special to feature on Amazon Prime. She also was a part of "Jestination Unknown" with Vir Das and a mentor on Comicstaan, both on Amazon Prime. She is the face of HDFC bank's Vigil Aunty- an anti fraud superhero. Her dream is to do a shampoo commercial or item number!
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Sonali Thakker is a standup comic and a writer from Mumbai, India. She made her mark in the Indian stand up circuit with her debut solo show titled ‘Almost There’ with which she toured nationally across 17 cities to sold out crowds and earned rave reviews. She has performed across the biggest stages in the country and festivals including the NH7 weekender, The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (Mumbai) and made her debut at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2019 as a part of their Comedy Zone Asia line up. Her comedy contains a detailed insight about topics she’s most familiar with and that is, herself. Her stand up covers a range of topics that starts with her parents, passions and ends with her boyfriend or as her marriage certificate insists on labelling him, her husband. Apart from this Sonali has worked with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video where she collaborated with the platform and performed a special set called “Marvellous Ms. Sonali Thakker” supporting the launch of the show.
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Kajol Srinivasan has been a comedian for 7 years has performed for various corporate and curated events, alongside touring the country with two solo shows. Her brand of comedy is bold, be it political or personal and she enjoys challenging and questioning social norms. She is known as @lolrakshak on the platform X and is often quoted for her views on current affairs and social issues.
Read moreHistory of Women in Stand-up Comedy
The history of stand-up comedy can be traced back to the 1950s when the term was first used to describe a specific form of live comedy performance. Before this, the current form of stand-up comedy had not yet taken shape, with performances often relying on more spontaneous improvisation. Female comedians were rare during this early period, and new talent was often discouraged. The very overt nature of stand-up comedy was not traditionally associated with womanhood, which contributed to the lack of women in the field. However, by the 20th century, women writers and performers had begun to take a more experimental approach to their art. Some pioneering women artists took up comedy as a part of their performances and careers with vaudeville performances in America. Slowly women began to carve out their place in the world of stand-up comedy across the globe.
Women Who Shaped Stand-up Comedy
Women have played a central role in shaping the history of stand-up comedy. One such pioneering figure is Loretta Mary Aiken, known by her stage name "Moms Mabley." Mabley was one of the first stand-up comics, becoming a popular presence on TV, stage, and in films well into her 80s.
Another trailblazer was Fanny Brice, who started on the burlesque stage and went on to find success as both a comic and actress in the early 20th century.
Totie Fields was known for her fearless and bold comedy, building her career on body positivity long before it became mainstream. Her book "I Think I'll Start on Monday" also became a bestseller.
Phyllis Diller also made her mark, starting in radio before transitioning to stand-up. "Phyllis Dillis, the Homely Friendmaker," was her first comedy show that debuted at The Purple Onion in San Francisco.
The legacy of these pioneering women has paved the way for other legendary female stand-up comedians, including Joan Rivers, Lily Tomlin, Wanda Sykes, and Sarah Silverman, among others.
Women Stand-up Comedians in India
The Indian comedy scene has witnessed a remarkable transformation in recent years, with the emergence of dynamic and impactful women comedians defying societal norms and tackling social issues through humour. These talented artists are breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes, changing how comedy is received in the country. From relationship dynamics and gender issues to daily life and cultural norms, these women comedians cover various topics in their scripts, offering a fresh and insightful perspective. Names like Aditi Mittal, Aishwarya Mohanraj, Gurleen Pannu, Prashasti Singh, Sumukhi Suresh, Sumaira Shaikh, and Urooj Ashfaq have become synonymous with the rise of Indian women in stand-up comedy.
Aishwarya Mohanraj, a stand-up comedian, scriptwriter, YouTuber, and storyteller, was among the top 10 finalists in the Comicstaan series and has graced prestigious stages like NCPA and Canvas Laugh Club. Gurleen Pannu, regarded as India's top female stand-up comedian, has showcased her talent on platforms like Comicstaan 3 and various comedy sketch shows on OTT platforms.
A Comicstaan participant, Prashasti Singh, has also hosted the "Baath Cheat" segment of the program "Kiski Sarkar" on MX Player, further showcasing her versatility and command over the medium.
These women comedians are entertaining audiences, challenging societal norms, and bringing important social issues to the forefront through their unique brand of humour. Their rise is a testament to the changing landscape of the Indian comedy scene, where talent and authenticity are taking centre stage.
