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Chelsea Birkby is from the thriving metropolis of Milton Keynes. At 18, she left for the big city (York) to study philosophy (she would have got a tattoo of Albert Camus but is allergic to dye), later she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder but doesn't think she has it anymore (although her Dr said that was a "classic sign"). And then she found stand-up comedy.

Now, Chelsea is now a regular at nights across the UK and has performed at many of the UK's top comedy clubs and theatres (Angel, The Stand, Monkey Barrel, Komedia, Backyard, Glee, The Museum of Comedy, Leicester Square Theatre, Soho Theatre, Oxford Playhouse, Northwall Arts Centre), has been invited to perform in New York and Paris. She's a go-to for philosophy, literature, LGBTQ+ and mental health-themed comedy shows.

In 2022, she brought her highly acclaimed, award-winning debut stand-up hour No More Mr Nice Chelsea to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It was about what it is to be nice and when it's time to stop. The show was directed by Alex Farrow. PR Textual Healing. It transferred for a sell-out run at London's Soho Theatre. She's now working on her second solo hour, This is Life, Cheeky Cheeky. It was listed in British Comedy Guide's top 10 picks.

Chelsea is a regular at Jericho Comedy's Oxfordshire Mind Gala, alongside James Acaster, Nish Kumar, Rachel Parris, Angela Barnes, Ed Gamble, Olga Koch and more. Chelsea was a trustee of Oxfordshire Mind for five years.

In Bristol, Chelsea co-runs a female-led stand up night with Eva Bindeman since 2022. All shows have sold out. Guests include Angela Barnes, Laura Lexx, Amy Gledhill, Rosie Jones, Jess Fostekew, Harriet Kemsley and more.

CREDITS
AS SEEN ON
BBC3, NextUp, Tiktok (1m views first month)

AS HEARD ON

BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio5Live, Times Radio, Trusty Hogs, Art Laughs with Verity Babbs, Jericho Comedy Podcast

WRITER

Mock the Week (several series), Radio 4, The Independent, The Metro, British Comedy Guide

TOUR SUPPORT

Helen Bauer (Madam Good Tit), Fern Brady (Autistic Bikini Queen)

VOICE OVER

Student Minds, Cancer Research UK

PRESS
Top picks Vault Festival 23, Comedy First gig worst gig, The List Q&A, Get your coats on interview, On the mic interview

ACCOLADES

AWARDS
WINNER Best Debut Show - Amused Moose
NOMINEE Best Show - Comedian's Choice Awards

FUNNIEST JOKES OF THE FRINGE
The Times 2022 (two jokes)

The Telegraph 2022

COMPETITION FINALIST

So You Think You're Funny

Leicester Square New Act of the Year

Bath New Act (3rd place)

New Online Comedian of the Year (2nd place)

SEMI-FINALIST

BBC New Comedy Awards

2NorthDown
Komedia New Act

ONE TO WATCH
Funny Women

"A hugely promising and already accomplished stand-up, surely destined for greater things."

★★★★
The Scotsman

"There's a sharp mind behind the sweet exterior. As her writing credits on Mock the Week suggest, she knows how to craft a well-made one-liner...Birkby wins the audience's affection so thoroughly."

★★★★
The Telegraph

"Draws you into her world with ease... Packed with gags at a great hit rate, even in the more serious moments, this is an assured debut from a performer who is destined for the top."

★★★★.5

The Sunday Post

"Peppered with good gags and a wide spectrum of pop-culture references, Birkby is a winsome and funny stage presence...Brings the audience along willingly on a occasionally dark but consistently entertaining journey."

★★★★
ThreeWeeks

"Deceptively smart, tightly structured, and delivered wit chatty charm... Sharply serious but still somehow silly."

★★★★
Fest

"You cannot help but really like her."

★★★★.5
Phoenix Remix

"Both naughty and nice...Has the feel of a conversation with friends."

★★★★
EdFringeReview

"Star in the making Chelsea Birkby is a real talent, outshining the big guns with her easy charm and sparkling anecdotal humour. Her warm delivery and engaging stage presence belie a wicked, and frequently smutty, streak."

★★★★
Oxford Mail

"Chelsea is a natural MC... Revitalising! Cleverness and class. A show I guarantee anyone at the fringe will enjoy."

★★★★
Mumble

"Delivered a show you'd expect from someone who has been playing Edinburgh for years."

★★★★
RGM

"Her new comedic style has been established as a sort of polite rock star. It's certainly unusual, but it's hilarious."

★★★★
Mervyn Stutter's Pick of the Fringe

"Chelsea is funny, so funny, without dumbing down her intelligence. I always look forward to what she is doing."

Laura Lexx

“She can make a joke out of anything… She’s a charming comedian. The new and rebranded Chelsea focuses on sex, drugs and rock and roll in her set but in a hilariously off meta way.”

DeadlineNews

“Chelsea Birkby’s future looks bright. Playful, self-effacing."

WeeReview

“Chelsea cooked up a good, intelligent set – her polished writing skills are laudable, a series of clever jokes built chiefly upon a solid foundation of audience interaction... Both touching and funny.”

Wee Review

“Birkby shines when it comes to one-liners and quick gag... A brilliant career awaits”

Broadway Baby

"Brimming with talent, sure to go far"

Daily Info

"A rising star with a stunning performance."

Ox in a Box