By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
The 2024 Southport Comedy Festival has a really international flavour this year, with top comedy names from all around the world.
In addition to top British comedians including Ben Elton, Jason Manford, Jo Caulfield, Mark Thomas and others, audiences can enjoy Jason Byrne and Jimeoin from Ireland, Rich Hall from USA, German comedy ambassador Henning Wehn, and Irish-Iranian comic Patrick Monahan.
But this year will be the first festival hosting a Filipina-German comedian who lived in Holland and studied at an American school.
Ria Lina, a star of BBC’s Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News For You, The Now Show and Mock The Week, said: “I am looking forward to performing at Southport Comedy Festival for the first time! I can’t wait.
“I am not just the first Filipina-German-Dutch-American comedian to perform in Southport, I think I might also be the only one in the world.”
Ria Lina
To add further spice to the evening, Ria is starring in a superb double bill with festival favourite and Chase presenter Paul Sinha, a British professional quizzer, comedian, doctor and broadcaster who was born to Bengali parents.
It’s a superb curtain closer for the 17-night Southport Comedy Festival, as Big Comedy UK Presents: Best of the Fest featuring Paul Sinha & Ria Lina on Sunday, 13th October 2024.
Tickets are available via the Southport Comedy Festival: What’s On – Southport Comedy Festival
Ria said: “This will be my first time performing at Southport Comedy Festival, and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone there as I make my debut. I’m reality excited to be there
“It’s in my contract that I have Southport potted shrimps when I do the gig. I won’t go on stage without them.
“It’s great to be on stage at such a unique, independent comedy festival, run by a great local couple who have so much passion for live comedy.
Ria Lina
“I was so shocked and saddened to read about what happened in Southport over the summer.
“Southport looks like it needs alternative reasons to be in the news and it’s good to see so many people coming into the town to see a huge event like this.
“There’s a fantastic line-up of comedians.”
There are some superb female comedians on the bill too, with Ria Lina joined by colleagues including Jo Caulfield and Katie Tracey.
There are more needed on the circuit. Ria has been a champion for female comedians, and the reception hasn’t always been welcoming.
Ria said: “I didn’t always used to get a great welcome when I appeared on stage.
“I would walk out and they would say – ‘Oh… A woman… This is going to be s***…
“Audiences are much more used to female comedians now. It’s time we were more involved.
“We have had male comedians dominating comedy for the past 70 years.
“Women buy 70% of comedy tickets in the country. There are generally more women in the audience than men at gigs.
“Comedy is fantastic for breaking down barriers. The best way to learn about what people are really like is to listen to their comedy.
“Not only am I a woman, I am mixed race. My mother comes from The Philippines and my father is German, so I want to take over the world! But just to give it a really good clean…
“If I tell jokes about Asians then we are all laughing together.”
This gig might be the most intellectual line-up of all time.
Ria earned a BSc in pathology from the University of St Andrews, an MSc in forensic science from London South Bank University and a PhD in virology from University College London. She won Episode 4 of the 21st series of Celebrity Mastermind, broadcast in January 2023. She was one of Alexander Armstrong’s co-hosts on Pointless in 2023.
Paul Sinha meanwhile is one of the most successful quizzers in the UK, is a presenter on The Chase, and worked as a doctor before becoming a comedian.
Ria tackles issues head on and she doesn’t hold back with her comedy.
She said: “Don’t come to my show if you are faint of heart!
“Paul and I are two similar people. He is a presenter on the Chase while I co-host Pointless and won Celebrity Mastermind.
Ria Lina and Paul Sinha will star at Southport Comedy Festival
“But in terms of our comedy, we are definitely not prim and proper. We don’t pull any punches.
“If you’re the sort of person who’s tucked up in bed at 8 o’clock each night then this gig is maybe not for you.
“I love chatting with people. There will be some crowd interaction, although I won’t pick on people.
“I will talk about a lot of things; about race, about feminism, about parenthood, about life.
“I’m really looking forward to performing in Southport.”
Ria Lina
Ria Lina is a touring Filipina comedian, actress and writer known for her appearances on BBC’s Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News For You, The Now Show and Mock The Week.
She has recently been named as one of The Evening Standard’s ‘Hottest Comedians You Should Be Watching Now’.
Throughout her stand-up career Ria has taken five shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Her career stretches from stage and screen, to radio and the occasional ukulele.
“Fearless, provocative and very funny” The Scotsman
Paul Sinha
Best known as The Sinnerman on ITV’s The Chase. Paul is a Rose d’Or Award winner for radio comedy, and Chortle Award winner and Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee for his stand-up. Paul is a familiar voice on radio appearing on Just a Minute, The News Quiz and Fighting Talk. On television, Paul has appeared on QI, Would I Lie to You? Taskmaster and Celebrity Gogglebox.
“One of our most thoughtful and enjoyable comedians”, The Times
Southport Comedy Festival in association with Halliwell Jones MINI runs from 27th September 2024 to 13th October 2024 as stars of the comedy world descend on the lovely seaside town of Southport for 17 fun filled days of laughter.
The entire festival will be staged for a fourth year in a giant luxury heated and fully seated marquee courtesy of Elite Marquees in Victoria Park, home of the world-renowned Southport Flower Show.
The star studded lineup includes undisputed godfather of modern stand-Up Ben Elton, TV superstar Jason Manford, German Comedy Ambassador Henning Wehn, American Comedy Legend Rich Hall, Festival favourites Jason Byrne, Jimeoin, Godfather of Political Comedy Mark Thomas, Star of ITV’S The Chase Paul Sinha ‘The Sinnerman’, comedy stars of TV Jo Caulfield ,Hal Cruttenden, Ria Lina, Patrick Monahan, Comedy Circuit favourites The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Review, Rising local star Katie Tracey, host of smash hit podcast ‘Have a Word’, Dan Nightingale and one of the UKs most treasured entertainers Mick Miller.
Five shows have already sold out and others are selling fast so make sure to grab your tickets for the shows you want to see while they are still available!
Visit southportcomedyfestival.com for full line up, information and direct links to book tickets.
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