Witty women bring the laughs

BENDIGO’S all-female comedy show, Women of Wit, is back and ready to tour Victoria.

On Friday, 24 June, the intimate Engine Room theatre will play host to the show before heading to Castlemaine on Saturday for more laughs.

The show features Bendigo’s own Simon Amohanga joined by Grace Jarvis, Prue Blake, Patti Fawcett, Spleen comedian of the year Sonia Di Iorio, and comedy festival frequenter Kirsty Webeck.

Amohanga said the stand-up night has been a success since its inauguration.

“It started as a way to get local females involved in comedy, it’s become a lot more than that now,” she said.

“We have very well-known acts that come to perform, from Melbourne, Sydney, winners of different comedy competitions.

“From the first one we did, nearly all of them have sold out. It exceeded our expectations.”

According to Amohanga, the audiences at Women of Wit are the best of any gig she’s been to.

“I can guarantee it’ll be enjoyable and comfortable, and you’ll be in with a good audience,” she said.

“For the male comedians there can often be a blokier audience, Women of Wit seems to encourage older people in the audience, and we get a lot more females and couples. it’s a lot less of that blokes-out-for-a-night feel.

“That helps the comedians relax as well. The whole thing feels very comfortable, but still incredibly professional because the acts are polished.”

The show marks Kirsty Webeck’s return to Bendigo, having previously performed at the first Women of Wit show in 2018.

“She’s one of the ones that just walks out on stage and you just immediately know she’s going to be funny,” Amohanga said.

“She’s got a presence, sometimes the audience will start chuckling before she’s started speaking.”

Tickets are available at bit.ly/3zwd6h2.