I saw Celya AB’s 10 minute slot at Amy Annette’s Dogpark on the 14th, and was instantly charmed by her general vibe and onstage presence. I knew I had to see her show. The French-Algerian comic’s show Of All People sets out to set the record straight: sometimes money and beauty can in fact make you happier.
Celya AB is both a very good comedian and a very cool woman. Maybe it’s just the French-ness, but everything from her pre-show playlist to her points of reference to her off-the-cuff quips make the audience want to know more.
Her delivery is nonchalant and slightly off-tempo. She doles out one-liners with a wry smile, as if to say, “I know something funny is coming, aren’t you excited!” And I was excited. Her casual, almost conversational comedy is nothing groundbreaking, but it is damn funny.
She deals with her recent C-PTSD diagnosis not by breaking down everything that caused it, but by dissecting how it affects her interactions with a variety of relatable concepts, like money, dating, and beauty. Bits about emailing the Samaritans and being annoyed with toothpaste come bedtime are particularly successful and perfectly timed.
I do wish the show had a stronger ending; Celya attempts to bring the show to a more serious place before circling back to a previous punchline to wrap things up. However, I found her serious tangent slightly too serious to come back from in just a few jokes.
The winner of Chortle’s Best Newcomer award in 2022, I can’t imagine Celya AB won’t be everywhere soon; so make sure you go see her before the end of her run.
Celya AB: Of All People is in Pleasance Courtyard Above at 17:20 until 25 August.
Buy tickets here.
Image provided by Pleasance Press Office