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Women behind TV comedy hits discuss their art

Wednesday 18 October 2017

FEMALE comedy writers and producers behind TV hits like Raised By Wolves and Citizen Khan will be discussing their art during an event at the University of Salford.

Caroline Moran, who co-created the semi-autobiographical series Raised by Wolves series alongside her sister, The Times’ columnist Caitlin Moran, will be among the speakers at the Women And Comedy Symposium, held next week at the University’s New Adelphi Building ahead of the launch of Manchester’s Women In Comedy Festival.

The series, which was named best sitcom at the prestigious Rose d’Or Awards, tells the tale of the sisters’ upbringing in Wolverhampton.

The event will also feature Rebecca Papworth, who produced shows including Citizen Khan for the BBC, writer and performer Jackie Hagen – whose award winning solo show was based on her experience as an amputee.

Hazel O’Keefe, director of the Women In Comedy festival and described by The Telegraph as taking ‘a very practical approach to solving the problem of discrimination in the comedy world’ will also speak at the event, while Northumbria University’s Dr Rose White will talk about the legacy of Channel 4 sketch show Smack The Pony.

The event is being held as part of the Mixed Bill research network set up between The University of Salford with Sheffield Hallam University.

Lisa Moore, comedy lecturer at the University of Salford, said: “The role of women in comedy has changed a great deal since the 1980s but women do remain underrepresented in the industry from the stand up circuit to writing for mainstream film and television.

“This event will bring together academics, women working as comedy writers and producers and audiences to discuss where the industry is going and find out about some of the new ways in which the inequalities of the live comedy circuit are being challenged.”

The event takes place from 9am-6.45pm on Thursday October 19. Visit here for information about tickets.