“Edinburgh Fringe is special because it’s the only place where you can do a 28-day run, in a room smaller than your kitchen, to an audience that includes three comedy nerds, a Norwegian hen do, and a toddler (who am I kidding, that’s my whole month’s worth of audience in that list!).”
WHO: Ria Lina
WHAT: “Following her killer debut tour last year, the ‘fearless, provocative, and very funny’ Ria Lina (Scotsman) realises that she is ready to rebel. Named by the Evening Standard as one of the Hottest Comedians You Should Be Watching Now, expect a relentless stream of hilarity as Ria explores the delight of throwing life up in the air after years of following the rules. From Have I Got News For You, Mock the Week, News Quiz, Live at the Apollo and Pointless. Top 10 Best Stand-up Shows of 2024 – Telegraph. ‘Ridiculously gifted’ (Evening Standard).”
WHERE: CabVol 1 at Monkey Barrel Comedy (Cabaret Voltaire) (Venue 338)
WHEN: 14:25 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
No, this is not my first time, this is my 6th full run, but my first time back after a nine-year hiatus. And trust me, coming back to the Fringe after nearly a decade is a bit like returning to an ex you were once in a long, messy relationship with: you know the chaos, you know it’ll be emotionally draining, but you also know… deep down… you missed it and can’t wait for the roller coaster again.
Edinburgh Fringe is special because it’s the only place where you can do a 28-day run, in a room smaller than your kitchen, to an audience that includes three comedy nerds, a Norwegian hen do, and a toddler (who am I kidding, that’s my whole month’s worth of audience in that list!), and somehow still discover something new about your show every night. But the energy of Edinburgh is the same for everyone: electric, exhausting, and absolutely addictive, whether you’re up for a day, a week or the whole shebang (which is the right word for that sentence, but written down, looks sooo wrong).
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
I’ve learned that rest is not a luxury, it’s a skill – and one I intend to get good at, after this festival (and the tour). I’ve also realised that there’s a fine line between rebellion and burnout, and if you’re not careful, you’ll cross it wearing a badge that says “Empowerment” and wondering why your eye won’t stop twitching.
I’m learning (slowly) to let go of perfectionism. That maybe the point isn’t to do everything flawlessly, but to do it with purpose, and ideally, without throwing my back out, but other people’s backs are at their own risk.
Have I absorbed these lessons? Well, like I said, I am aware they are there, and need to be learned; I’m dreading a pop quiz, but I should be good for the final exam.
Tell us about your show.
The show’s called Riabellion and I wrote it with the help of many many audiences who patiently attended my work-in-progress shows and were so kind at the end that I was able to not cry about it till I got on the train. They really deserve the credit. It’s deeply personal, about autism, womanhood, logic, anger, motherhood, and the deep need to rebel in a world that keeps demanding you conform, but only in ways that benefit someone else.
I’m being brought to the Fringe by my management team, Blue Book Artist Management (thank you guys in advance for shovelling me off the payment at the end of the month and sticking me on a train back to London). After the Fringe, it goes on a full UK tour this autumn, with dates up and down the country. Bring your brain and maybe a friend who thinks they know everything, they’ll learn something. Or I will. Either way, win-win.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
So first of all, you should see a bit of everything if you can. It’s the largest arts festival in the world, you have the chance to see theatre, circus, comedy, dance, spoken word, all in one day – unless you really hate student theatre (and there is a lot to hate), why not give them a chance? They are learning like the rest of us, they are just earlier in their journey. And who knows, maybe one of those kids goes on to be the next Idris Elba – you could say “I saw them when!”
Also, see a range of ticketed and free. The difference is no longer an indication of quality. Don’t assume free shows are new acts or rubbish, there are a lot of good acts making good money on the Free Fringe/Festival that ticketed acts aren’t. Such as Ian Stone – who always brings a storming hour of new stand up each year and ends up with queues around the block for his shows.
But here are three shows to go see if you really don’t know where to start. Allow me to fill your “female comedian” box on your fringe bingo card:
Marjolein Robertson – I love her unique voice and chaos and her openness that leads to very raw visceral (hilarious) genuine art. But you also have to be open minded too. It’s a two way street and well worth the traverse (does that work for the metaphor?)
Shaparak Khorsandi – I’ve known and loved her for years, she’s my partner in crazy parenting crime… always worth it. If you’re only up for a few days, it’s a safe bet of ticket money well spent.
Robyn Perkins – is doing a few shows while she is up. An absolute engine of energy. – She does great science comedy, so go see at least one of the shows she is doing!
I just realised that if you come and see me I would fill that box on your bingo card, so why not put me in the free box in the middle, and use one of the above for the ‘female comedian’ box, and then you’re twice as close to a bingo as you were before. What fun.
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