Laughing Cows at Frog & Bucket

One way to encourage women on to the comedy circuit is to put on all-women line ups. Laughing Cows has been doing this since 1998 when it was set up by Hazel O’Keefe. This was in response to certain clubs that think of female acts as ‘specialist’ in some way and won’t put two women on the same bill. Laughing Cows have recently expanded their Manchester presence with a new gig at the Irish Club in Chorlton. Headliner of their city centre and suburban events this month is mistress of quips Bethany Black. She says of herself: ‘I’m often billed these days as “Britain’s only goth, lesbian, transsexual stand-up comedian”. I’m also a vegan and recovering drug addict and alcoholic, but by this point you might as well just call me Beth because pigeonholes become redundant.’ Lot of material there, then.

Sun 29 Jul, Frog and Bucket, Oldham Street, M4 1LJ. Tel: 0161 236 9805, 8pm,  £5/7 adv, £6/8 OTD, www.frogandbucket.com & Thu 9 Aug, The Irish Club, 17 High Lane, Chorlton, M21 9DJ. Tel: 07958 642090, 8.30 pm, £5/7 adv, £6/8 OTD, www.laughingcowscomedy.co.uk