Natalia Schwartz runs monthly all-female comedy night ‘Bitches in Stitches’ at The Fitzgerald in The Northern Quarter, and since its founding in July 2024 each show has been sold-out.
The format of the show includes nine acts, ten including founder Natalia as the host and each with a run time of around seven minutes with many acts travelling in from various locations.
MM sat down with Natalia to discuss all things female stand-up and the growing success of this global franchise.
She said: “It’s a brilliant show for the acts and it’s a brilliant show for the audience.”
An audience that includes regulars and newcomers alike.
It’s a unique opportunity that allows new comedians to get used to performing in front of a live audience and build out their portfolio with a recording of their set.
Comedy is so subjective but the varied lineup means there’s something for everyone.
“…What may be some person’s yum is another person’s yuck and that’s okay!”
On the topic of inclusivity in comedy, Natalia said: “The atmosphere is so positive, but not in a way that’s patronising.
“…You still want to feel like you’ve had to win people over.”
Natalia highlights the shift in attitudes, not just of society but of those women in comedy.
“I’d say probably 20 years ago, good female comedians… those trying to come up in the game, were making jokes that men made.
“They thought, to be funny I have to be like a man.”
This meant typical laddish jokes about sleeping around and we seem to have grown out of that.
“Now, women in comedy are able to be women who just happen to be in comedy.”
Bitches in Stitches Manchester was originally founded as a standalone club, until Natalia got a Google Alert that there was another Bitches in Stitches…. in Hong Kong!
Fran Ayala-Rock the Hong Kong founder, reached out to Natalia and they decided to join forces.
That means branches in: Hong Kong, Manila, London and Manchester – alongside whispers of America and Australia.
Bitches in Stitches also recognises, as Natalia puts it: “any creative endeavour can be quite isolating.”
So events like their online global writing workshops offer an opportunity for likeminded creatives to discuss ideas and learn from each other.
Alongside running Bitches in Stitches Manchester, Natalia wears multiple hats as a voiceover artist and neuroscientist.
As if that wasn’t enough, she also runs other comedy events, including ‘Prams and Punchlines’, a Cheshire-based comedy show for parents and babies.
That means no judgemental looks when the baby is babbling and any heckling is done by those under 18 months.
As for Bitches in Stitches, well they’ve just had their first London show and they’ve got their eyes set on The Edinburgh Fringe in August 2026.
Check out their Crowdfunder here to support them.
As Natalia said: “I really feel like there’s no limit to what we can achieve.”
Main image credit: Alice Cairns, founder of B.I.S in Australia
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