Ria Lina Brings Rebellion, Razor‑Sharp Wit and Relentless Laughs to Cardiff

Fresh from her critically acclaimed debut tour Riawakening — named one of the Telegraph’s Top Ten Best Stand‑Up Shows of 2024 — the unstoppable Ria Lina is back with a brand‑new hour that promises to be bolder, braver and even funnier.

Her new show dives headfirst into the state of the world, the chaos of modern life, the battle of the sexes, and the joy of throwing the rulebook out the window after years of playing by it. With credits spanning Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News For You?, Mock the Week, Pointless, The Last Leg and Celebrity Mastermind, Ria has become one of the most distinctive and intelligent voices in British comedy.

And now she’s bringing that energy to The Cabaret at the Wales Millennium Centre — a venue she’s already decided feels like home.

Ahead of her Cardiff date, we caught up with Ria to talk about fearless comedy, scientific thinking, rebellious teenagers, diversity in the industry, and why you should never leave a theatre mid‑show wearing your coat.

Read the Edited Transcript Below or Listen to the Full Interview at the Base of the Article

“I love that buoyant love of life in South Wales.” — An Interview with Ria Lina

You’re bringing your show to The Cabaret at the Wales Millennium Centre. What kind of energy are you hoping Cardiff brings on the night?

Ria: I always get this buoyant love of life when I come to South Wales — people are just up for a good time. Whatever’s going on in our lives, we leave it outside and have a great couple of hours together. And yes, the doors will be unlocked the entire time! If you need the toilet, go. Just… maybe don’t take your coat. I once chased a couple out in Bristol because I thought they were leaving. They weren’t. They came back. We had a lovely time.

You’re often described as fearless, provocative and very funny. Which of those do you enjoy the most?

Ria: Obviously, as a comedian you want to be “very funny”. But “provocative” is where I enjoy playing. I don’t think my show is provocative from beginning to end — it’s more that I flirt with that social line of, “Ooh, we don’t talk about this.” Last night I said a word and you could feel the room shift. So I thought, right, we are going to talk about this. And the men stayed. They even came up for photos afterwards.

Your new show leans into rebellion. What rules are you breaking?

Ria: It’s not literal rebellion — it’s about how the world is in rebellion. How do you parent that? How do you respond when everything around you is going mad? I look at teenage rebellion, societal rebellion, and how we navigate it. We’re living in a time where people aren’t just bending rules — they’re breaking them openly. Hopefully we’re at the beginning of that shifting.

Does your scientific background influence how you write jokes?

Ria: Oh yes. I approach things very scientifically. There are joke structures, rhythms, patterns — I love breaking them down. And I reference science constantly. “There was a study… there was an experiment…” I like backing things up with facts. It helps people believe you. Well — it should. You can put the facts in front of people, but you can’t make the horse drink water. That’s a very mixed metaphor, but you get me.

Do audiences ever underestimate you because you’re a comedian and a scientist?

Ria: I don’t know if it’s that. I think it’s more: “She’s a woman of colour — will I relate to her?” People feel safer choosing the white guy they’ve also never heard of. And in a cost‑of‑living crisis, people can’t always take a chance. So I appreciate it even more when they do — and when they leave saying, “I’m so glad I came.”

You’re arguably the most prominent Filipina comedian in British stand‑up.

What does that visibility mean to you?

Ria: Name another! I’ve been the only one for a long time. There are a couple now, which is lovely. But Filipinos are still quite invisible in UK culture, even though we’re everywhere. Someone told me if you Google “famous British Filipinos”, I come up. Sweet — but we’ve got a long way to go.

Have you noticed the industry shifting in terms of who gets to be on stage?

Ria: After Me Too and Black Lives Matter, we saw more women and more diversity. But now we’re in a period of fear — and fear drives conservatism. People go back to what feels “safe”, which tends to be white men. It’s not always conscious, but it’s not unconscious either. And that’s what irritates me.

Cardiff audiences are famously up for it. What’s the wildest audience interaction you’ve had?

Ria: Other than chasing that couple? I once had a man in the front row say, “My wife is at home looking after my kids.” The whole room bristled. Turns out his wife had bought him the ticket as a gift. I told him to lead with that next time — and maybe say “our kids”, not “my kids”.

What do you hope Cardiff audiences walk away thinking?

Ria: “I really enjoyed that — I’d see her again.” That’s the big win now. Social media means comedians have to build their own audiences. If Cardiff comes, has a great time, and tells their friends — that’s everything.

-

A Night of Rebellion, Rhythm and Relentless Laughs

Ria Lina’s new show promises a whirlwind of energy, sharp social commentary, and the kind of fearless comedy that leaves audiences breathless.

With her unique blend of scientific insight, political bite and mischievous charm, she’s one of the most exciting voices in British stand‑up — and her night at The Cabaret is set to be a highlight of the season.

Expect intelligence. Expect chaos. Expect to laugh until it hurts.

Listen to the Unedited Conversation in Full Below: