Chelsea Birkby is a multi-award winning and critically acclaimed stand up comedian regularly seen at some of the UK's top comedy clubs and theatres (Jericho Comedy, Angel at The Bill Murray, The Stand, Monkey Barrel, Komedia, The Museum of Comedy, Leicester Square Theatre, Soho Theatre, Oxford Playhouse, Palladium, Bristol Old Vic, Bristol Beacon ). Perhaps you've seen her do tour support for Russell Howard, Fern Brady, Celya AB, Ed Patrick, Helen Bauer, Sarah Keyworth or more. She's been invited to New York, Paris and Dusseldorf? You may have heard her on Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast or caught some of her jokes on Mock the Week or spotted some on funniest jokes of the fringe lists. She's a go-to for philosophy, literature, LGBTQ+ and mental health-themed comedy shows with her smart and silly signature style and light-hearted style.
Who is Chelsea Birkby?
AS SEEN ON
BBC3, NextUp
AS HEARD ON
Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio5Live, Virgin Radio, Times Radio, Trusty Hogs, Jokes with Mark Simmons
WRITER
Mock the Week (BBC, TLC), Radio 4, The Independent, The Metro, British Comedy Guide
TOUR SUPPORT
Russell Howard, Helen Bauer, Fern Brady, Ed Patrick, Kieran Hodgson, Sarah Keyworth, Celya AB, Janine Harouni
VOICE OVER
Student Minds, Cancer Research UK
ACCOLADES
WINNER Best Debut Amused Moose (2022)
NOMINEE Best Debut Comedian's Choice Awards (2022)
NOMINEE Best Show ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards (2024)
NOMINIEE Best Show Comedian's Choice Awards
U&Dave's Top 10 Jokes of the fringe 2024
COMPETITIONS
FINALIST So You Think You're Funny
FINALIST Leicester Square New Act Competiton
3RD PLACE Bath New Act Competiton
2ND PLACE New Online Comedian of the Year
TELIVSED SEMI-FINALIST BBC New Comedy Award (BBC3)
SEMI-FINALIST 2Northdown Competition
SEMI-FINALIST Komedia New Act Competition
Credits
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No More Mr Nice Chelsea
Chelsea's award-winning debut received glowing reviews and transferred to a sell-out run at Soho Theatre.
Director: Alex Farrow. PR: Julian Hall, Textual Healing.
Design: Wes West, Jolt Studio. Photography: Chris WR Cox.
WINNER Best Debut, Amused Moose.
NOMINEE Best Debut, Comedian's Choice Awards.
BEST JOKES Times x2. Telegraph.
★★★★ Telegraph“There’s a sharp mind behind the sweet exterior.”
★★★★ The Scotsman“A hugely promising and already accomplished stand-up”
★★★★.5 Sunday Post“A real star in the making…”
★★★★.5 The Phoenix Remix "You cannot help but really like her”
★★★★ ThreeWeeks "Winsome and funny"
★★★★ Fest “Deceptively smart, tightly structured, and delivered with chatty charm.”
★★★★RGM “Chelsea’s a natural.”
★★★★ EdFringeReview “Naughty and nice. Has the feel of a conversation with friends”
★★★★ EntertainmentNow "Brilliantly funny. She could make it all the way to the top."
★★★★ Mervyn Stutter" Highly recommended"
This is Life, Cheeky Cheeky
Chelsea's award-nominated sophomore show was eve more critically acclaimed and toured the UK with sell-out shows.
Director: Dan Emery and Molly Stacey. PR: Julian Hall, Textual Healing.
Poster design: Wes West, Jolt Studio. Photography: Esme Buxton.
NOMINEE Best Show, ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards.
NOMINEE Best Show, Comedian's Choice Awards.
BEST JOKES Times, Telegraph, Edinburgh Evening News, Dave #7.
"Charm by the bucketload. Just what the doctor ordered.” Telegraph, Funniest comedy at the fringe 2024
"Masterful" LMAOnaise
"Truly outstanding stand up" DailyInfo
★★★★★EdFringeReview “It is hard not to be immediately charmed by her”
★★★★.5 Quintessential Review“ Whip-smart stuff. This is first-rate, purposeful comedy.”
★★★★ British Theatre Guide “Pop culture silliness and smut with philosophy”
★★★★EdFringeReview "Cheeky comedy with a cerebral bite."
★★★★ Chortle “Smart, witty show… Her lines are so good and connections so fun.”
★★★★ Mervyn Stutter“Highly recommend”
★★★★Wee Review “One of the most unique stand-up shows at this year’s Fringe.”
★★★★ Mumble “Chelsea Birkby is a pure joy to watch"
★★★★ PhoenixRemix “She is just a joy to watch on the stage.”
★★★★ A Youngish Perspective "A standout experience not to be overlooked!"
Chelsea Birkby Is In Full Control The Entire Time
Chelsea's third show had packed out rooms across the run at The Pleasance.
Director: Alex Farrow. PR: Julian Hall, Textual Healing.
Poster design: Wes West, Jolt Studio. Photography: Chris WR Cox.
Trailer video: Alex Bass
BEST JOKES Times, Edinburgh Evening News
AS FEATURED IN The Guardian's Edinburgh Fringe Special Cover story
Chortle "She’s become a PowerPoint comedian, and it’s allowed her to fit twice as many jokes into the same span of time, resulting in a show that’s bursting at the seams with brilliant little moments. Huge gag rate with feather-light touch. Very impressive stuff."
★★★★.5 Carlebrity “An absurd and brilliant show, deep and well executed. The one liners came so quickly and the audience was delighted the entire time"
★★★★ Entertainment Now "A menacing and tyrannical hour of PowerPoint comedy"
★★★★ Three Weeks "She's definitely in full control the entire time"
★★★★ Wee Review " A unique comic talent"
★★★★ Phoenix Remix "Fun and hilarious"
★★★★ EdFringeReview "Both silly and sharp, a fresh escapade from a comic you can't help but love"
★★★★ A Youngish Perspective "Philosophy meets pop psychology cocktail, dissecting a cultural moment with rigour underneath the silliness"
★★★★ Fresh Fringe "An incredibly clever hour, somehow bringing together philosophy, statistics, corporate office chic, witty charm and a stacked amount of laughs with ease"
★★★★ The Real Chrisparkle "Excellent original material. And she's qualified in PowerPoint! Great crowd work and very funny"
