by ⭐⭐⭐½
Celya AB’s therapy sessions prompted her to ask if she should quit comedy. Which must sound radically surprising to anyone already following this French Algerian comedian, a Fringe fave and writer for SNL UK. And yet, she has listed the pros and cons of continuing to craft jokes for a living.
On the one hand, a life in comedy finds her seeking outside validation, much as she previously has from food or from men. Not the best practice, perhaps, but also not uncommon for “a silly billy with a dark childhood.”
On the other hand, it’s tough when you don’t know football but can readily identify with the baby from Arsenal’s victory parade through London this summer.
Then again, perhaps we’re all simplistic mammals, satisfied still so easily by the first joke we ever hear. Peek-a-boo!
As for Celya AB, she’ll work through this moment, and most likely find an even funnier and more thought-provoking hour at the other end of what felt here like very much a work in progress. It should prove quite fruitful, but it’ll take some more work to provide its ultimate yield.
Celya AB: We Must Stop Meeting Like This plays Monkey Barrel 1 during the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe.
