‘The city is so filled with everyone’s memories, it’s like wading through water’: Edinburgh Fringe Q&A – Celya AB

Celya AB has proved a popular choice with this year’s Fringe-goers with her third hour, Of All People.

Having starred in the latest series of Live At The Apollo, the stand-up, who moved from Paris to the UK in 2014, presents a personal exploration of the meaning of life and why for so many people it’s tied to money.

Here, she answers our festival Q&A.

What’s your show all about?

My show is about the big threes: money, love and the void. It’s very different from my previous shows as I started therapy this year, making me the first comedian to talk about mental health and I believe the bravest girl in the world.

You’ve described this show as your most honest yet – why’s that?

My previous shows were mostly silly, surreal jokes but this year, therapy naturally led to become, quite frankly, obsessed with studying myself and my past. By the spring, the show had mutated into a personal hour of stand-up and then I set my intentions on leaning into that. It’s still very silly and surreal at times of course but with, I think, a different feel from my previous shows.

You appeared on the most recent series of Live at the Apollo – how was that experience for you?

It was really fun! I credit Lou Sanders for helping me relax. I was really nervous beforehand but seeing Lou be so funny and playful in such a big room when hosting helped me calm down and remember that it’s first and foremost a really nice gig. My friends were there watching and gave me flowers afterwards and I felt like Barbra Streisand.

Did you enjoy touring last year’s Fringe show around the UK? What’s life like on the road for Celya AB?

I really did! I had lots of fun, when I lived in Birmingham I’d gig around the UK all year round and it was really nice to go back to some of those venues where six years prior, I would have done a little 5 mins spot. Life on the road is easy for Celya AB as I love hotels and room service, I love a cloche, sue me! A cloche is the ‘curtains up’ of… food?

If you were in charge of the Fringe, what changes would you make?

Obviously the cost, but also by week four performers should be allowed to have the show playing on a big TV they’ve wheeled in.

What’s your favourite spot to visit in Edinburgh?

I love Portobello Beach! There’s a lovely cafe there that feels like being away from the Fringe, the staff is unfriendly and the food is really good, feels like home.

© Rachel Sherlock

How have your previous experiences of the festival been – either as a visitor or performer?

I love the Fringe and have been coming here since 2017. The city of Edinburgh is so filled with everyone’s memories, it’s like wading through water. It’s an incredibly special thing I love and am lucky to experience every year. And by ‘it’ I mean the crepe stand.

What essential item are you packing to survive a month at the Fringe?

A cloche.

Who else are you looking forward to seeing at the festival?

So many shows! Especially keen to see international comics: Aaron Chen, Melanie Bracewell, Kanan Gill and Two Hearts etc.

What question would you ask other comedians in a Q&A – and why?

Does your tummy also feel funny after a 2am crepe?

Celya AB: Of All People, Pleasance Courtyard (Above), 5.20pm, until August 25 (excl 14)