It Is A Truth Universally Acknowledged That You Should Come And See Accomplished Ladies…

Accomplished Ladies (Phoebe Hitt & Georgina Thomas) come to 2Northdown on 18th February 2020

by Phoebe Hitt

Why? Well, because it’s bloody brilliant! But I guess I’m biased so I’ll sell the show to you with 3 very simple reasons.

1.     IT’S ABOUT HISTORY

HISTORY! Who doesn’t love a bit of history? History is one of the most important subjects you can learn. We must study the mistakes of the past so we do not repeat them in the future. But it is also a never-ending gold mine of comedy. From Caligula making his favourite horse a senator to “knockers-up” who would shoot dried peas at your window in the morning as a pre-alarm wake up call, history can be pretty silly.

Georgie and I love a bit of history and we have endless fun researching our favourite historical figures and periods and showing them in all their glory. I particularly enjoyed writing a sketch about the UK witch trials. The research I did was so interesting I ended up handing Georgie a 10-page long sketch which was deemed ‘very interesting but not very funny’. I got carried away! There’s so much I didn’t know!

As someone who got a C in their History AS Level (I’m sorry but making anyone sit an exam on the Habsburgs is a complete waste of time, we get it, they’re ugly) it’s great to remember why I actually decided to take History AS Level in the first place. History is great!

2.     IT’S ABOUT WOMEN

In the words of Alan Bennet: “History is a commentary on the various and continuing incapabilities of men. What is history? History is women following behind with the bucket.” Or is it?

I have no doubt that there were countless women who fought against the restraints put on them by society. There was a recent discovery in Sweden of a grave that seems to contain a female Viking warrior! In 1881 the ‘Rational Dress Society’ was set up to support women being given more freedom of movement in their clothes, and the founder Lady Harberton was refused service in a pub for wearing knickerbockers (baggy trousers, not ice cream)! Virginia Hall, an American journalist with a wooden leg, was one of the most admired and hunted spies living in occupied France in WWII. She was never caught.

But as Churchill said “History is written by the victors”, namely men. So, these individuals have been lost to time, waiting for two very funny women to come along and voice them for excited audiences. 

3.     IT’S VERY FUNNY

 We are two funny gals who love comedy! We’ve been doing comedy together for over 3 years and we constantly push each other to write more and perfect what we’ve written to make it great.

Georgie and I started writing together after the Soho Theatre Young Company Sketch Course. The course was brilliant, we met some fab people and were taught by the hilarious Lee Griffiths. It was such a brilliant experience, we learnt so much about the circuit, putting on shows and writing. Honestly, there’s nothing like reading a sketch you think is hilarious to a group of comedians you really admire and having them all look at you like you are a drunk Aunt at a wedding, to get you to work your hardest to make them laugh the next time. 

When the course ended I knew I loved writing and needed an outlet. That’s when Georgie sat me down over a beer (Georgie’s is a lager, mine is a pale ale) and pitched the brilliant idea that would become Accomplished Ladies. We both loved comedy and history. What better than a sketch comedy show about the hypocrisies of being a woman throughout history?

 So, what are you waiting for? BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW!!

Accomplished Ladies: Tuesday 18th February - 7pm

Phoebe’s Reading List

If you are tickled by this article or the show (when you inevitably come to see it because it is brilliant!) here is a list of books and articles I delved into for research. But fun research! I promise!

UK Witch Trials: England’s Witchcraft Trials by Willow Winsham

WWII Spies: Lonely Courage by Rick Stroud

Female Viking: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/09/viking-warrior-woman-archaeology-spd/

Virginia Hall: A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell

The Rational Dress Society: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rational_Dress_Society