This Review is from August 2025

I recall seeing Ria Lina perform on the Free Fringe at least fifteen years ago. Nowadays, she has achieved mainstream success, appearing on just about every major British TV and radio comedy panel show.

Riabellion is an intelligent, funny set. She has some great original topical material, discussing ideas that are refreshingly more free thinking than those espoused by many left-wing comics.

The funniest stuff is when Ria gets personal. The comedian lives with her teenage children and ex-husband. She’s perimenopausal and jokes about going through her second puberty – while her teenagers go through their first. There’s some hilarious stuff on Asian parenting.

I’m only grateful that my mum is not a stand-up comedian.

An interview with Ria Lina about Riabellion is featured on Episode 12 of the On the Mic: Five a Day podcast.