Welcome to Bitches in Stitches: The New Grrrl Order — a femme-forward, community-powered comedy hour that’s as raucous as it is unfiltered.

This is the Fringe debut of Bitches in Stitches — the global, all-femme/them stand-up collective (As featured in Vogue, Rolling Stone, The New Feminist, and Tatler) shaking up comedy from Hong Kong to Manila, Manchester to London, and now right here in Edinburgh. We’re rewriting the rules on who gets the mic and what stories get told — and trust us, nothing’s off-limits.

Our show is an hour of empowerment that celebrates femmes/thems in all their shapes and forms, with a five-person lineup of international comedians, and diverse set of voices working in harmony to fill the room with laughter.

What to expect:

- A killer, diverse lineup of comics bringing fresh perspectives and unapologetic punchlines


- Zero cheap shots at anyone’s identity — just smart, sharp, side-splitting comedy


- A night to rock out, throw your bra out, and laugh until your eyeliner runs

If your ex couldn’t handle it and your boss shouldn’t hear it… it’s probably in the set list.

What the Press is Saying:

"One of the things the evening showed me was comedy’s crucial, multi-faceted role in today’s world. In some way, it’s a salve to let your worries melt away, but it’s also a medium that broaches complex and relevant topics regular conversation can’t." – Lifestyle Asia

"The response to B*tches in Stitches has been overwhelmingly positive, especially among comedians who felt they were ostracized from the scene." – Rolling Stone

"B*tches in Stitches sees a good laugh as an entry point for social critique: the equivalent of wrapping a pill in bacon and feeding it to your dog. At the end of the day, the Bitches know that their ultimate ambition of changing the world through comedy is a bit lofty. But they won’t stop trying." – Spot.ph

"The venue was buzzing even before the first act took the stage — a cosy, packed room full of laughter, anticipation, and that slightly electric sense that something special was about to happen... By the end of the night, my face ached from smiling. Bitches in Stitches is exactly what the UK comedy scene needs right now — inclusive, fearless, feminist fun that’s genuinely funny. I can’t wait to see what comes next for this global sisterhood of humour." — Joyzine.org

August 20, 2026    Everything Theatre

Stand-up comedy line-ups have long been dominated by men. Bitches in Stitches: New Grrrl Order seeks to refashion comedy nights for more inclusivity and diversity. Seven femme/them comics take to the stage of Camden Comedy Club for an hour of laugh-out-loud comedy that takes boundaries and norms and launches them out of the window. The premise did make me question how many female comics I’ve seen at comedy shows; that number is very small and not enough.

Bitches in Stitches is a collective of non-male comedians that has risen to popularity, regularly putting on shows in Hong Kong, Manila, London and Manchester. This show features a wide range of comedians, from various corners of the world, and of different ages and identities. This creates a very diverse body of material that includes menopause, divorce, period sex, daddy issues and British colonialism. There is something which will resonate with everyone.

It is refreshing to see comedy where other people’s identities and appearances are not the butt of the joke. The comedians restrict such jokes solely to their own experience. The atmosphere created is inclusive and welcoming, and accommodates strong feminist themes that subtly critique patriarchy in both the comedy field and society more generally. Refreshingly, none of the comedians leans on crowd work as a crutch for providing cheap laughs, but instead all provide solid sets filled with laughs.

Founder Fran Ayala-Rock is our host for the evening. She does a great job of warming up the audience with her loud and bold energy. Her raunchy and taboo jokes have no boundaries and are shockingly hilarious. But Arie David is the standout of the night. Whether it’s abortion or paedophile rings, her jokes can get dark, but her clever writing and deadpan, sharp style of delivery work exceedingly well in raising cackling laughter from the audience.

For Bitches in Stitches: New Grrrl Order, nothing is out of bounds. The diversity of the comedians showcased is refreshing, and all involved should be commended for creating such a necessary space in the comedy scene. Bitches in Stitches aren’t trying to tick a checkbox, but rather to offer a space that is welcoming and celebratory, whilst also showing off some amazing talent. All of the acts proved themselves with strong writing, stage presence and delivery; the audience laughed the whole way through. They hold a defiant, rebellious middle finger up to those who claim “women aren’t funny enough”.

Founded by Fran Ayala-Rock and Natalia Schwartz
Performers: Fran Ayala-Rock, Arie David, Alix Brown, Casey Brander, Madeline Fennell, Twinks Burnett and Kate Hu
Lead production by Arie David

Biches in Stitches: New Grrl Order has finished its current run in London, but it is transferring to The Laughing Horse at the Edinburgh Fringe until Thursday 27 August. Click Here For Review

November 1, 2025   Joyzine

Comedy Review and Interview: Bitches in Stitches-New Grrrl Order

The venue was buzzing even before the first act took the stage — a cosy, packed room full of laughter, anticipation, and that slightly electric sense that something special was about to happen.

Over the course of the evening, ten femme comedians performed — each wildly different in style, but every one bringing something bold, unfiltered, and hilarious. The line-up spanned a mix of ages, nationalities, and comedic styles, creating the kind of variety you rarely get at traditional comedy nights.

No topic was off-limits. Within minutes, the audience was howling at jokes about sex, periods, relationships, identity, and everything in between. This wasn’t a night for the faint of heart — but it was one for anyone who appreciates honesty, wit, and women speaking their truth without apology.

The atmosphere was one of joyful rebellion — loud, raw, and real. You could feel the camaraderie not only between the audience and the performers, but between the comics themselves, cheering each other on between sets.

There was a truly international flavour too — comics from the USA, Taiwan, and across the UK took to the stage. I was especially delighted when the first performer announced she was from my own hometown of Southend — because of course, Essex women always bring the laughs.

By the end of the night, my face ached from smiling. Bitches in Stitches is exactly what the UK comedy scene needs right now — inclusive, fearless, feminist fun that’s genuinely funny. I can’t wait to see what comes next for this global sisterhood of humour. Click Here For Article