The one-day event will celebrate women, trans, non-binary and queer comedians of colour, as well as nurturing the next generation to come!
BY SCARLETT CLARKE, IMAGES BY MARIANA FEIJO
Downstairs at Soho Theatre on 14 January, audience members convened in gaggles around tables and spilt out onto the benches behind. Anticipation had been building for some time; it felt as though the entire crowd had already met upstairs in the bar for a pre-show drink. Many were regulars, but a few, myself included, were “FOCing for the first time”, to quote MC Kemah Bob. Newcomers were welcomed immediately ushered into the fold for an intimate night of comedy. There was just one rule: no cis-white men on stage.
What followed was a rich comedic tapestry. Familiar faces appeared, such as Desiree Burch of Taskmaster fame, alongside Edinburgh Fringe favourites like Ayoade Bamgboye. What connected them was not a shared genre but a shared permission to take up space on their own terms.
In fact, the range of styles was striking. I could hardly catch my breath between laughs during Esther Manito’s quick-witted storytelling; things turned musical with Alex Franklin and her trusty keyboard; and Paulina Lenoir’s camp clowning (including an immaculate conception via pump and balloon) was unforgettable.
This variety of performance was not by chance. The Femmes of Colo(u)r Comedy Club was established by Texas-born Kemah Bob in 2018, born out of her frustration with the lack of diversity and blatant tokenism around London’s comedy circuit. The issue wasn’t London; it was the circuit.
FOC It Up was created to correct this; it provides a space where women, trans, non-binary and queer comedians of colour can perform unapologetically. Each show features a fresh lineup of acts, so no two shows are the same. Sitting downstairs at Soho Theatre nearly eight years later, it was clear that this founding instinct still shapes the room.
Several attendees were regulars, returning month after month, helping to sustain a growing community. FOC It Up has been raking in rave reviews for some time now, praised by queer publications and national broadsheets alike. Yet its continued necessity speaks volumes. In a comedy landscape still dominated by jokes that punch down, or rely on marginalised identities as shorthand, FOC It Up offers something genuinely refreshing.
This night was no exception. The energy in the room was infectious. As the MC, Kemah was the glue keeping the show sticky – bubbly and chatty but always relatable. She had the audience laughing while reminding them why they were all there. At times, her whimsical enthusiasm gave the impression of a cartoon character experiencing Earth for the first time – or, as she memorably put it, “if Paddington Bear ate Megan Thee Stallion.” Between sets, she became the familiar anchor sustaining the buzz and anticipation for each new act. As Kemah herself noted, “the vibes of everyone in the room contribute” to the fun of the show.
Now a well-established staple on the London comedy scene, FOC It Up is branching out. Alongside monthly shows at The Queer Comedy Club in Elephant and Castle, the team are hosting FOC Fest on 18 April at Soho Theatre. The one-day event will feature workshops, panels and a show hosted by Kemah (lineup to be announced). The event seeks to celebrate women, trans, non-binary and queer comedians of colour, while nurturing the next generation of comedic talent. One workshop, Power To The People, is not limited to working or aspiring comedians but is open to anyone looking to develop confidence through comedy.
Nearly eight years into the project, FOC It Up has cemented itself in London’s comedy ecosystem and, in doing so, has highlighted the value of these spaces.
You can find out more about FOC It Up here: focitupcomedy.com
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