Meet Ria Lina, the star of May's Big Comedy Kiss
- Shane Norton
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
How did you get into stand-up comedy?
I fell into it at Uni. Someone from the Dead Parrot Society (the name for our comedy society - can you guess which sketch the name came from?) decided one day to put on a stand up show and no other woman would do it, so I volunteered and was hooked after that. I had always wanted to get into acting and comedy seemed a great way to perform on a regular basis. Now here I am, 15 years later, still gigging, and occasionally some acting!
Where do you get your inspiration for your show material?
Ha. This is the golden question for me. I genuinely have no idea. Things arrive in my brain, or just come out of my mouth, and when I worked in an office it got me sent to HR, but when I'm onstage people laugh - so I started writing those things down.
How do you deal with hecklers or a tough audience?
Generally speaking, people don't heckle. They want their money's worth and don't want to ruin the show for others. But it depends what they shout out. Often a heckler shouts out a funny line and that's what we're here for - why get mad? But if they are trying to be disruptive or rude, then they need to be slammed verbally (by me) and if it gets worse, removed (by security). Of course in Europe, especially places like Switzerland and Germany, people tend to just heckle with corrections and facts. And that's hard to argue with either way. :)
What is the funniest or most memorable moment you've had on stage?
Last year, while on tour, I literally had to stop the show and answer the phone to the pizza guy, because my kids had ordered pizza... and then none of them answered the door when he arrived. I had to keep him on the phone, while texting the kids, who, like typical teenagers were all ignoring me (and the doorbell) because none of them wanted to get up. I was in a totally different city and couldn't do anything about it. The audience found it hilarious to watch me get so upset at how helpless I was to stop this pizza guy from leaving. (They did eventually answer the door).
What's been the highlight of your career as a stand-up comedian so far?
Everyone always expects me to say Live at The Apollo, because I know that's a lot of comedians' dreams, but for me, going to South Africa to film World's Most Dangerous Roads and filming Lovestruck High on Amazon Prime, were such amazing experiences that they have to place above Apollo. I worked with amazing people, made lifelong friends, and got so many airmiles. I mean, ahem, so many great airmiles. I mean, memories! I made so many great memories.
Do you already have an impression of Switzerland and the Swiss, if so what is it?
Of course I do! You're efficient, have a beautiful country, and have one of the best voting systems in the world, where you all participate and get involved. And all the men have guns. As a German, I also know some other things, but we don't need to mention that anymore, do we? Oh, I also love the pyjama look. Nothing says "you don't want us fighting for you" then the pyjamas. It was an ingenious design choice for your soldiers.
How do you see more?
Come see Ria Lina headline The Big Comedy Kiss on 9th May.
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