If it’s true that laughter is the best medicine, then Little Wander’s International Women’s Day Comedy Gala might be what we need to keep the feminist fires burning in 2026. Amy Ford spoke to one of its performers, Mel Owen – Welsh comedian, writer, podcaster and all-round inspiration.
Every year, March 8 is International Women’s Day. Their chosen theme for 2026 is ‘Give To Gain’ – devised by IWD as a reminder to empower each other, because “when women thrive, we all rise”.
It’s a time to celebrate the incredible women around you and introduce new inspirational figures into your lives – such as, perhaps, five standups who use their comedy to empower women all over the country… or just give you a good laugh.
At the Riverfront in Newport, it’s the annual International Women’s Day Comedy Gala – presented by Little Wander – and joining south Wales’ own Mel Owen are Madeleine Brettingham, Sisika, Felicity Ward and, in an MC capacity, Alexandra Haddow. Owen shared her thoughts on IWD, feminism and comedy, and how they all fit together.
Mel, tell us all about yourself.
I’m a stand-up comedian and writer. I’ve been doing comedy for four years now. I also write scripts – I’ve written for Channel 4, Netflix, BBC One. And I have a podcast called Fort Wales, Sea Wales. So I think those are my, you know, the headlines. And yeah, I’ve done an Edinburgh Fringe sell-out run, which was a big boost to my career. And I’ve done tour support for the likes of Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Ellis James and Emmanuel Salubi.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
It’s one of those where it emphasises every year how important it is to celebrate the women in our lives because I think there is so much extra work that we do as women that is overlooked. The playing field is not level, we can’t pretend that it is. We do not have equality yet. We do not have equal attitudes towards us. And because of that, we have to work so much harder than men too.
I just think something like International Women’s Day, even though it’s only a day, just does emphasize that those struggles are still going ahead. But also to celebrate the women, because there are some incredible women who can do amazing things without the recognition and the credit. And it’s good that we can have a time to celebrate that.
Who is your biggest female inspiration?
Do you know what? I’m quite an irreverent person, so there’s not many, like, celebrities where I think I would lose it if I met them – but I know with Michelle Obama, I would crumble. I just think she holds herself with so much poise. She’s done so much with the position that she’s had, and she continues to. If I could have a tenth of her grace and work ethic, I’d be a very happy person.
What are your thoughts on this year’s IWD theme, Give To Gain?
I really love that. Like, do you know, I’ve got so many friends who are in the same industry as me and people always assume we’re rivals, or we’re pitted against each other. But what’s so strong about our friendship is that we realise there’s space for all of us. If one of us wins, we all win. So I absolutely love that as a theme.
What does it mean to you to be a successful woman in comedy?
If you can share your message with an audience who wants to hear it, you’re succeeding. And as a woman in comedy, you have to try so much harder than men do. And I have no time for anybody who suggests otherwise. There are gigs where, you know, a man can turn up half-cut in tracksuit bottoms and have an alright gig. I have to come out as a 10 out of 10 every single time!
Or people think, “oh, women aren’t funny, actually.” So I have to smash it every single time. And I see that with the women on the circuit – they just turn up and knock it out of the park, for half of the recognition. So for me, succeeding as a woman in comedy is not letting that get in the way, not letting mediocrity from men get in the way of your success, and sharing what it is you want to talk about.
Is your comedy tailored for women?
I definitely don’t aim for a female-only audience. What I do find, though, is that I want my material to be relatable to women and a shock to men. Say if there’s a heterosexual couple in the audience, I love it when the woman is like, “yes! This is you!” to her husband… and he’s like, “oh my god…” I want the men to come out having learned something – feeling seen – and, in a soft lovely way, feeling maybe a bit embarrassed. And their wives feeling seen and heard. Maybe I put something into words they haven’t been able to say, but I’ve done it for them.
Do you think it’s important to incorporate feminism into comedy?
I think so. In whatever way feminism means to you. I don’t think there’s a strict set of rules that, like, you have to do in order to be a feminist in comedy. I think as long as you’re a woman succeeding in that world, you’re doing what you can, and using the capacity you have to support other women, that’s your job done.
How do you incorporate feminism into your everyday life?
I definitely make sure I offer a hand to anybody who is starting out, because I remember the people – the women – who offered me that same support. It’s really, really difficult, because I have so much imposter syndrome, but I try to be loud about my success so that other women can see it and not feel embarrassed about their success – or feel like, “if she’s done that, I can probably do that as well”. I try to just be honest, not minimise myself.
Do you have any advice for aspiring female comedians or artists?
Do not let imposter syndrome get in your way. Do not be scared of asking for what you want because there is a man out there who will ask and probably get it because he just had the audacity to ask. We are allowed to ask for what we want as well and the worst thing that can happen is they say, no, that’s it. So being a little bit delusional, believe that you can do what you want to do, live on planet delulu, just fucking go for it.
Was there a female comedian that inspired you to start your career in comedy?
Watching Hannah Gadsby’s show Nanette was a life-changing moment for me. It made me realise comedy doesn’t have to be middle-aged men in suits complaining about their wives, it can be something so much deeper. And I still like those men! But there’s more out there.
I also love Taylor Tomlinson because she’s a young woman who’s like, “yeah, I’m hot, I’m attractive and I’m also funny”. Like, I don’t have to fit this one box of, “oh, funny women are unattractive and gawky” – you can be attractive and look after yourself, and care about your image, and still have something worth listening to.
What can we expect at the International Women’s Day Comedy Gala?
A lot of female fierceness and a really good array of different female comedians. I’ve never met another female comedian on the circuit and thought “oh, we’re all really similar”… we’re all so unique! So just a lot of variety. I think there’ll be a lot of celebrating of womanhood, but men will have a great time as well.
International Women’s Day Comedy Gala, The Riverfront, Newport, Sat 7 Mar
Tickets: £22. Info: here
words AMY FORD
