Following her killer debut tour, Riawakening, Ria Lina, the leading Filipina comedian in British stand-up is taking her new show, Riabellion, to Salford this month
Following her killer debut tour, Riawakening, Ria Lina, the leading Filipina comedian in British stand-up is taking her new show, Riabellion, to the Lowry in Salford on Sunday 16th November at 8pm.
The “fearless, provocative, and very funny” (The Scotsman) comedian realised last year
that she wasn’t just awake, she was ready to rebel. Expect a relentless stream of hilarity as
Ria explores the state of the world, the eternal battle of the sexes, and the delight of
throwing life up in the air after years of following the rules.
Ria Lina is a highly accomplished writer, actor and comedian; a multi-award winner who
commands the stage with a whirlwind of energy and leaves audiences breathless with
laughter. Regarded as one of the hardest working comedians in the industry, her
appearances on television and radio have garnered critical acclaim. Credits include two stints
on Live at the Apollo (once in the coveted host slot), Have I Got News For You?, Mock the
Week, cohosting Pointless, The Last Leg, Celebrity Mastermind and many more.
It’s not just Ria’s comedy that is intelligent. She holds a BSc in Experimental Pathology, an
MSc in Forensic Science, and a PhD in Virology, along with experience in IT Forensics at the
Serious Fraud Office. As a result, Ria has recently had her own Radio 4 series, ‘Ria Lina Gets
Forensic’, commissioned in which she investigates anti-aging treatments, scrutinising the
lengths people will go to cheat age and stay young, using herself as a test subject. Ria has
also been a frequent pundit on Sky News, BBC News, Times Radio, and TalkTV, she is sought
after for her scientific expertise, poised delivery, and sharp wit.
Ria is also passionate about being neurodivergent and increasing the visibility of
neurodivergent talent within the entertainment industry. Ria recently sat on the panel of a
Conway Hall Ethical Society talk on Autism & ADHD, and has been profiled on Sky News
talking about how her autism has informed, and enhanced, her work.
A hugely admired act on the UK comedy circuit, this multi-award-winning artist commands
respect from the moment she walks onstage and delivers with natural ease, energy and
fierceness.
Ria’s last tour show was included in The Telegraph’s list of the ‘10 best comedy shows to see
in 2024’, and she has been recognised by The Evening Standard as one of the "Hottest
Comedians You Should Be Watching Now", reflecting her lasting influence on the comedy
scene. Throughout her career, she has brought six shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival,
addressing themes such as autism, current affairs, and racial identity. With a diverse career
across stage, screen, radio, and even the ukulele, Ria Lina's unique style has garnered praise
from critics, with Time Out admiring her ability to be “engaging, endearing and
eye-opening”.
A prolific writer, Ria has lent her talents to projects like the Ladyboys of Bangkok's 'Fantasy &
Feathers' and 'Glamorous Amorous' tours. Additionally, she wrote and performed in the ITV2
comedy sketch show Meet the Blogs and presented her own documentary on Channel 4,
dispelling myths surrounding East Asian women in Britain.
Ria’s extensive list of TV credits also include Pointless Celebrities (BBC), Lovestruck High
(Amazon Prime), Celebrity Mastermind (BBC), Richard Osmond’s House of Games (BBC),
Unforgivable (Dave), Question Team (Dave), The Jeremy Vine Show (Channel 5) and many
more. You can also hear Ria on The News Quiz (BBC), Richard Herring’s Leicester Square
Podcast, The Now Show (BBC), Best Medicine (BBC), Drunk Women Solving Crime & much
more.