Following an acclaimed and award-nominated Edinburgh run this year, Sikisa (Live at The Apollo, Off Menu, Jonathan Ross’ Comedy Club, ISH Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee) is releasing her first ever stand up special via Turtle Canyon Comedy on Sunday 21st November.
‘Life of the Party’ is a combination of Sikisa’s first two hit shows that so successfully built her vivacious and fearless persona.
Both shows charted how Sikisa, originally from Barbados before moving to South London, has faced up to some serious challenges in her life. Growing up as an only child from a working-class family, Sikisa was always taught that, as a young black female, she needed to be better and smarter than everyone else. As if that wasn’t tough enough, Sikisa also had to struggle with undiagnosed dyslexia and often found herself going against the expectations of others.
‘Life of the Party’ is ultimately about triumph, how Sikisa’s lust for life and her love of music, dance, and wrestling too, helped her overcome these challenges, and how a passion for justice served her well in her first career – immigration lawyer.
Still practising law along with her comedy career, Sikisa has a passion to change the immigration system to make life easier for immigrants in the UK. Life for them and for many others is far from perfect, but Sikisa wants to make sure everyone is happy – or at least happier – and she knows that to make that happen, actions speak louder than words.
Sikisa said: “I didn’t discover stand up comedy really until I started working at The Cavendish Arms in Stockwell, London. Since working there I was encouraged to give stand up comedy a go by the landlady, Shirley because I was ‘slightly funny’. To be fair, it was because she saw something in me that I hadn’t. I was never one for public speaking and had no idea it was to become my full time job. I love performing and bringing joy to people and really I’m just trying to live my best life despite all the chaos in the world, so why not have a party?”
Life of the Party will be released on 21st December and available from Turtle Canyon Comedy:
https://www.youtube.com/turtlecanyoncomedy
Sikisa is a critically acclaimed stand-up comedian, writer, producer, award winning cabaret/burlesque performer and qualified immigration lawyer.
Since winning the public vote in the 2017 BBC New Comedy Award, Sikisa has been nominated for a Chortle Award for best MC, earned four nominations at the Leicester Comedy Festival. Her extensive credits include: Live At The Apollo, Jonathan Ross’ Comedy Club, The Stand Up Sketch Show, Comedy Central Live, Evil Genius, Perfect Sounds, Off Menu and Films to be Buried With.
Sikisa’s sold-out debut, Life of the Party, gained multiple 4-star reviews and earned a transfer to the Soho Theatre. The follow-up, Hear Me Out, enjoyed numerous 4 and 5-star reviews before taking it on a national tour. Here 2025 Edinburgh show, Serving Justice, was nominated for the ISH Edinburgh Comedy Award and received 12 x 4 or 5 star reviews.
Sikisa is a leader on the Soho Theatre Stand Up Labs Course, an alumni of the Soho Theatre Young Company and a proud member of The Cocoa Butter Club. Sikisa is also the host of the Wrestle Club UK podcast.
