★★★

THERE’S always a fear that an event called Stand Up to End Violence Against Women could end up a little depressing.

Fortunately the night was simply a great celebration of the fantastic work done by the Rise and Survivor’s Network with a string of funny and surreal female comics. The whole evening was held perfectly in place by excellent MC Jen Brister who kept things moving while appearing cool and laconic throughout.

Show-stealer of the night was Jo Neary who had the Komedia in uproar with her hilarious dance in a nude bodysuit complete with big pants and bra underneath as she whirled and flounced around the stage to the music of her husband singing.

Her version of Harry Nilssen’s Without You managed to be shocking yet utterly hilarious. Comic singer Harriet Braine’s awkward, shy persona worked well with her sharp wit and fantastic look at life through funny songs.

Headline act Bridget Christie burst on stage at the end of the night full of righteous anger about women, Brexit and Trump after promising to only talk about her current passion of gardening.

Of course, it turned out that the topic of gardening was a catalyst for fantastic opportunities for some incisive observations about the current state of the nation.