We have been very fortunate to book the following speakers for this years dinner:

Jen Brister

After performing in front of the legendary Spike Milligan and receiving the luminous and prestigious title of having ‘a great pair of Bristols,’ Jen knew that comedy was the way forward. So with the help of two jokes and a push up bra she was on her way…

Since that heady day Jen has performed stand up in clubs all over the country (literally) as well as sketch comedy  in numerous  groups including the Loose Connection.

In 2006 she took up her first one woman show “Me My Mum & I” to the Edinburgh Festival where she recived excellent reviews. “Brister ticks all the boxes – she’s confident, energetic and knows how to deliver a line for maximum laughs”
THE SCOTSMAN

In 2007 Jen began working at BBC 6 Music where she presented a number of different shows including the weekend overnights, the weekend breakfast show and stand ins for Lauren Laverne, Liz Kershaw and Jon Holmes.

Jen also starred in Russell Brand & Trevor Lock’s ‘Cloud Cuckoo Land’ for BBC Radio 2.

In 2008 Brister teamed up with her comedy writing partner, Clare Warde to produce a two hand sketch comedy show called ‘Reception’ The Sunday Times applauded its “Bold sketches, surreal ideas and slick banter…keep an eye out” whilst The Stage highlighted “Two natural comic actors, the duo have an assured style and strong rapport that recalls the best of French and Saunders. This is one female double act that definitely deserves a promotion.”

In 2009 at the Edinburgh Festival Jen performed stand up at the Pleasance Cabaret Bar in the Comedy Zone as well as starring in Trevor Lock’s hilarious new play “The One & The Many”

She is currently writing a new solo show called, “Jen Brister is British(ish”) which she will be taking to the Adelaide & Melbourne Comedy Festivals in 2011, before heading once more to Edinburgh.

“Outrageously Funny”
Metro

“Gorgeously talented”
Tim Arthur, Time Out

Ruth E Cockburn

Ruth has been writing comedy sketches and plays since she graduated in 2005 from Manchester Metropolitan University School of Theatre, where she studied acting.
 
Her comedy plays have been performed in numerous festivals including Sydney's 'Short & Sweet' Festival, Lost Theatre companies One Act Festival, Buxton Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe.
 
Her play 'Saturday Boy' was also nominated for Best new writing in Buxtons' Fringe 2008.
 
She began performing Stand up comedy in May 2008. In her first year she was a 'Funny Women' Semi Finalist, 'So you think you're funny' Semi Finalist, and came third in Mirth on Monday's new act Competition.
 
She has also proved her worth at music festivals, having performed at Kendal Calling, Y-Not and The Green Man festival.
 
Ruth is primarily a musical act, with well timed audience interaction and serial stories that take the audience on a nice little journey.
 
Radio:
Manchester Radio online
BBC Radio Manchester
Key 103 & Galaxy (Hywel & Jamie)
 
Reviews
"Both clever & hilarious in style" Edfringe review
 
"Ruth Cockburn, the second act, was in my opinion the best of the night,... She does something the best comedians do; finds material that the audience recognises from their own lives, and simultaneously makes them realise how foolish they are whilst being comforted that they aren't the only ones who do it. In addition to telling jokes, she splits up her act with songs which, besides being as hilarious as the rest of the routine, were also both catchy and well played/sung. I could have happily carried on watching this watchable performer" Andy Howell, Barrel of laughs Buxton
 
"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" Stoon Buxton Fringe
 
"Ruth's comedy is a particularly potent mix of spot-on, slightly surreal social commentary and brilliantly inventive, hummable and instantly hilarious songs." Spotlight Comedy

Remember - book your tickets soon as there is only a limited number of seats.  All Ladies club members friends and family are welcome.  As anyone that attended last year - it was a hoot!