I am a female comedian in London. Last night I performed at an open mic gig that has typically been one of the more liberal on the circuit. I was one of three females on the list of twelve, which is above average in this environment. Nearly every single act attacked women. Whole sets about various “insane” ex-girlfriends who do tai chi visualising snapping their ex’s penises off (huh? Also topical reference mate), multiple comics making multiple jokes about fucking their mothers, pompous rants about Trump being unfairly treated because Hilary is way worse (spoiler alert – she’s not), women placed as subservients in a variety of set ups, and an almost endless stream of men being alone but it all being women’s fault. And worst of all, the closing act is someone I remember being creative, surreal, and enigmatic. His mum fucking jokes were the worst. This environment breeds it. And it’s fucking shit. I’m not doing the circuit anymore. Instead I’m putting on my own gigs with people I love. Because fuck any more of my time being spent listening to these arseholes. After this week especially, it’s the misogynist straw that’s broken this camel’s back.
