Picture by Donna Ford
Who is Fran Ayala, the woman behind Bitches in Stiches?
On paper, I'm a London-based brand strategist who's worked with international firms for clients including Microsoft, Marriott, and Singapore Airlines. I've been doing stand-up comedy for eight years and have performed in Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, the Philippines, Engand, Portugal, and Scotland. What you won't find on my LinkedIn is that I'm neurospicy, living with ADHD, bipolar disorder and complex PTSD. I've survived a lot of traumatic experiences, which comedy has helped me process. It's also why I love bringing joy to people — everyone deserves to have laughter in their lives.
Why did you decide to start it? What is the story behind it?
I wanted to put on one all-female comedy night in Hong Kong, where the standard for femme comics was to get booked as the one woman on a lineup of seven cishet men. So I worked with five other women in the scene to organise an all-female show on April 20th, 2021. It sold out in six hours. The venue asked us to come back the next month, and the month after. We were offered a residency there not long after, and approached by several other venues around Hong Kong to bring our all-femme brand of comedy to their audiences. In our first two years, we sold out 30 consecutive shows.
I originally intented to put on one all-femme show, but quickly saw that Bitches in Stitches could be an avenue to give women in comedy more opportunities — to improve their craft, perform on stage, and get paid fairly. What started out as a one-off production became a community.
I expanded Bitches in Stitches to Manila, Philippines in 2024, a year after I repatriated there. We were consitently selling out shows and even had some crossover gigs featuring Bitches in Stitches' members from Hong Kong. And then I received a Google Alert in my inbox.
“Our all-female comedy night is back tonight,” it read, linking to an Instagram post from Manchester speakeasy den, The Fitzgerald. “Bitches in Stitches is a hilarious all-female comedy show that will leave you in stitches.”
It turned out there was another all-femme stand-up comedy night running in Manchester that even shared the same name! Discovering this group of women comics on the other side of the world who share our mission of using laughter to lift each other up... it made trying to change things for the better feel like less of an uphill battle.
Natalia Schwartz, the founder of Bitches in Stitches Manchester, and I connected on Instagram and after fangirling over each other in our DMs, we decided to merge into one global brand. I launched the London chapter of Bitches in Stitches when I moved here last year, and we've put on three shows to packed out rooms so far.
What is the biggest impact on what you do?
The biggest impact has been the growth of our femme comedy community — from six women in Hong Kong to 90 members worldwide. That momentum makes one thing clear: stand-up is overdue for a broader range of voices. This needs to change. And in comedy, that means more perspectives, richer material, and audiences that feel seen and celebrated. The future of comedy isn't louder — it's broader.
What has been your biggest learning since you started?
My biggest learning has been that whenever progress is attempted (no matter how good your intentions), the establishment will make several arguments against it. Women working to change the status quo aren't well-liked, and if you aren't, don't lose heart. Remind yourself why you're doing this. Championing a cause can be punishing work, and sometimes you'll get lonely. Don't give up. Keep fighting. Make it so that you're the last woman to ever feel that way for doing what you love.
Find your tribe. Connect with women who believe what you believe, and lift them up as high as you can. Leading change can feel like shit. Trying to do good won't make you immune to acting like an asshole. That's why you need your people, so they can carry you when times are hard, keep you in check when you're having a wobble, and have your back when you encounter friction. Together, you will be a force.
What is the goal? The big vision of what you would like to achieve?
I would like Bitches in Stitches to expand even further and launch in more countries (we're currently exploring a launch in Australia), where we can put on all-femme comedy nights and create more opportunities for non-male comedians to perform on stage. I'd also like to create a virtual space for our global community members to connect with one another and access exclusive content like a Discord, Slack, or Mighty Networks.
Picture by Matt Lee
And this is the feminist questionnaire identical for everyone
What is Feminism for you?
Feminism is the radical (but tbh, obvious) belief that women and marginalized genders deserve equal power, pay, safety, respect, and mic time — and the collective action to actually make that happen.
Which “everyday sexism” really bothers you?
I hate when I'm introduced as a "female comedian." On the other hand, I actually prefer referring to myself as a "female founder."
Do you remember when you start identifying as a Feminist and why?
I was introduced to feminism as a young teen via the 90s Riot Grrrl movement — through the music of Bikini Kill and Sleater-Kinney, but it wasn't until my 30s that I loudly and proudly identified as a feminist. By then, my experiences with CSA, SA, and discrimination had compounded to the point that I no longer wanted to just feel my anger. I wanted to burn down the whole fucking patriarchy.
Who is your biggest feminist role model?
My biggest feminist role model is my late paternal grandmother, Fe. She lived most of her life in the Philippines — a predominantly Catholic, conservative nation that has very clear ideas about how women should be. In culture that rewarded conformity, Fe had the audacity to live authentically. She spoke her mind (and didn't shy away from four-letter words) and never let anyone — even her husband, the love of her life — tell her what she couldn't do. And wow, she did incredible things, including champion our first People Power Revolution, reforest the barren land around her house into an 80-hectare nature park, and compose a musical play.
But the biggest reason Mafe (short for Mama Fe) is my feminist role model is her devotion to community. She met strangers like future friends and treasured every connection, new or old. She showed me that challenging the status quo isn’t about competing for a seat at the table — it’s about gathering your people and building a bigger one.
What is your favourite Feminist quote?
It's hands down, this one from Cher: "My mom said to me, 'You know, sweetheart, one day you should settle down and marry a rich man,' and I said, 'Mom, I am a rich man.”
What is your proud feminist victory?
Growing Bitches in Stitches from one six-woman show in Hong Kong in 2021 to a global community of femme/them comedians (with chapters in three countries) in 2026.
What is your feminist recommendation?
- Book In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
- tv show The Power (Prime Video)
- Film The Joy Luck Club
What is your feminist call of action to whoever is reading?
My call to action is simple: lift as you climb. As you move up in this world, make space, build bridges, and bring other women with you. Because when one of us rises alone, it’s progress. When we rise together, it’s power.
0 comments