Ria Lina has been busy working on her new show ‘Thpethial’ which she will be taking to the Funny Women Pop Up Fringe in Edinburgh this August! We managed to grab a quick chat with Ria to discuss Edinburgh, cabaret and the next big thing…
Funny Women: Is this your first time performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival? If not, when have you come previously and what were you in?
Ria Lina: I first did the Festival with a play I wrote in 2000 called ‘Ezekial Falling’. I then came back in 2002 and 2003 as a stand-up comic and then not till 2011. Last year I did my first solo show called ‘It's Not Easy Being Yellow’.
FW: How did you first get involved with Funny Women?
RL: I was a runner up in the first Funny Women Awards back in 2003.
FW: What can we expect from ‘Thpethial’?
RL: Hopefully a new view of yourself and how you fit into society. Oh, and a few jokes and songs along the way.
FW: Whose shows are you most looking forward to seeing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival?
RL: That is the best thing about the festival – it's impossible to predict! I'm looking forward to seeing everything at the Funny Women Pop Up Fringe, there is such a mix on offer, and I'm also looking forward to my cabaret show ‘Ettieboo's Cabaret Boonanza’, partly because I love seeing the acts, but also, I'm intrigued to see what I do. It's a world-premiere of this particular character.
FW: Who are your favourite female comedians?
RL: Ooh, I usually shy away from favourites, but my absolute hero is Kitty Flanagan, an australian comedian who personifies funny. When you got it, you got it. Doesn't matter what sex you are.
FW: Who do you think will be the ‘next big thing’?
RL: Is this a trick question? Obviously, in my heart of hearts I hope it's me, but I honestly couldn't say. If there's one thing I've learned doing this over the past decade or so it's that it isn't just about talent, there's who you know, being in the right place at the right time, coming from a country that is topical in the news, catching someone's eye. Of course talent helps.
FW: If you’ve been before, what are your top Edinburgh Fringe survival tips?
RL: Stay in control. You can control what you eat, how much you drink and sleep, and how good your performances are as a professional. Focus on getting better as an act and that will serve you well for the rest of the year.
To find out more about Ria Lina’s show ‘Thpethial’ at the Funny Women Pop Up Fringe CLICK HERE!
