Magazine

Where Are They Now- Thankless Child

Sketch and stand-up duo Thankless Child (aka Liz Black and Freya Slipper) won the Funny Women Award in 2010. Their win led to many exciting projects including a plum role on BBC2’s Dick and Dom's Funny Business. Sadly Thankless Child is no more. Liz is moving onto pastures new and hanging up her funny boots. Fret not, as Freya is now pursuing an exciting solo comedy career.

We quizzed one half of the duo, Liz Black, on what’s been going on since their win.

How did it feel to be crowned by Funny Women in 2010?

Surprising and exciting!

How has your comedy career changed since winning the award?

Funny Women definitely led to opportunities we wouldn’t have had otherwise.

What joke or moment set you apart from the other finalists when you won?

I think it was a very close call and of course the judging is always going to be subjective. Our Sailor Shanty was probably the most memorable part of what we did.

Who do you think is the ultimate funny woman?

It’s impossible to pick out one ultimate Funny Woman! But to name a select few, for Freya, Sally Phillips and for Liz, Anna Crilly or Katy Wix. We also both love Sarah Silverman.

Out of all the previous Funny Women winners, who is the funniest?

This is impossible to answer. Everyone’s styles are so different, it’s very hard to compare them - we loved Lara A. King who won last year - we were rooting for her.

What does 2012 hold for you both?

Liz is leaving comedy behind now and pursuing a career in a completely different direction. But Freya continues to write and perform as a solo performer and has several exciting projects lined up – watch this space!

The Funny Women Awards are ten years old this year. What you were doing ten years ago?

We were at school!

Mary Doyle