Edinburgh Festival / Day 11: Side View: Women in comedy: Rachel Berger on modern sirens
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.'It has long been assumed that women are on stage for the benefit of the male gaze. Historically, solo women comics came out of chorus lines and were considered floozies because comedy was performed in saloons, where no 'decent' woman would be seen. Their material was often written by men, so a stereotype of self-deprecating female comedians developed. It wasn't until the late 1960s that women gained their own voice, and it's made some people uncomfortable. Our numbers grow every year, and we're not just doing 'wimmin's' material and jokes about tampons. Each performance style is created at a different salon: Jenny Eclair's teased bouffant comedy, Hattie Hayridge's freshly-coiffed jokes, Rhona Cameron's slicked-back approach, and Donna McPhail's unruly stories. My show's called Comedy Siren: a reference to the mythical sirens who lured sailors to their deaths. Like Medusa's hair full of snakes, a woman's voice is still perceived to be dangerous.'
'Comedy Siren' is at The Pleasance (venue 33) until 29 August (Booking: 031-556 6550)
(Photograph omitted)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments