Olga Koch

Olga Koch
Koch at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Born
Olga Alfredovna Kokh

(1992-09-01) 1 September 1992
Saint Petersburg, Russia
EducationTASIS England
Alma materNew York University
OccupationStand-up comedian
Years active2016–present
Notable workBBC Radio 4’s Olga Koch: Fight, Just Friends, If/Then, Homecoming
AwardsWGGB Writers' Guild Awards for Best Radio Comedy Show
Websitewww.rocknrolga.com

Olga Alfredovna Koch (Russian: Ольга Альфредовна Кох; born 1 September 1992)[1] is a Russian-British stand-up comedian, writer, and actress.

Early life and education

Koch was born in Saint Petersburg in 1992,[2] one year after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Her father, Alfred Koch, was head of the State Committee for State Property Management of the Russian Federation from 1996 to 1997 under President Boris Yeltsin.[3] She has a sister who is 12 years older than her[4] and a brother who is 10 years younger.[5]

When Koch was 13, her family moved to the UK, settling in Surrey. She was educated at The American School in England, a private school for children of expats and diplomats.[6] According to Koch, the school was so American that it seemed everyone there was behaving as if they were performing in a US high-school movie.[7] As a result, she speaks English with an American accent despite having lived in the UK for most of her life.[8]

After finishing school, Koch moved to the US to study computer science[9] at New York University. While in New York, she also trained at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.[10] She returned to the UK in 2014[6] and went on to obtain a Master's degree in the Social Science of the Internet[11] from Keble College, Oxford, with parasocial relationships as her specialist area of study.[12][13] She continued her comedy training in London at Soho Theatre and The Free Association.[14]

In 2026, Koch was studying for a PhD in human-computer relationships[15] at University College London.[16][17]

Career

Koch performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for the first time in 2016, in the show Me, Me, Me with fellow comedians Ryan Bridge and Charlie Ringe.[18] She returned to Edinburgh the following year in two shows: 'Data Night', written by Koch, and performed by her and comedian Catherine Brinkworth,[19] and Good Vibes, with comedian Heather Shaw.[20][6] In 2018, she was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards for her debut hour, Fight.[21][3] She was named Quantum Leopard Champion of Champions for 2018, jointly with Zoë Tomalin.[22][23]

Koch regularly appears in line-ups for charity shows, most notably hosting Canned Laughter's Karaoke Roulette.[24]

She has appeared on The Now Show, Mock the Week, Pls Like, Richard Osman's House of Games, Pointless Celebrities, 7 Days, and QI, and written for Newsjack and BBC Three's A Quickie in the Office.[25][26]

In 2020 Koch hosted a web series for Dave, Bad Advice with Olga Koch.[27][28][29]

In November 2020, a recording of her show If/Then was and released as a vinyl record by Monkey Barrel Records.[30]

Koch and Hussein Kesvani presented Human Error, a weekly comedy-technology podcast for BBC Sounds in 2021.[31] In July 2021, Olga Koch: OK Computer (a reference to the Radiohead album title OK Computer) debuted on BBC Radio 4,[9]. Written and presented by Koch, the programme was renewed for a second [32] and third season.[33]

In 2022, her BBC Radio 4 show Olga Koch: Fight[34] won the Best Radio Comedy category at the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain's WGGB Writers' Guild Awards.[35]

In 2022, she toured her show Just Friends in the UK and Ireland and also took it to the Edinburgh Fringe.[36][37][38][39][40] A recording of the show at Soho Theatre Dean Street[41] was released on the 800 Pound Gorilla Media free YouTube channel in December 2023.[42]

In May 2022, her show Homecoming was released on Amazon Prime as part of Soho Theatre Live.[43]

In September 2022, Koch and Geoff Norcott began presenting a podcast for Late Night Mash.[44] It ended after 9 episodes.[45]

In November 2022, Koch appeared in the third series of Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable.[46]

Olga Koch: Prawn Cocktail ("how I went to Japan with a stranger I met at a wedding"[47]) was a work-in-progress for the Edinburgh Fringe 2023.[48][49] In January 2024, Koch toured it as a produced show in Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, while also touring Olga Koch Comes From Money as a work-in-progress.[50] Later that year, she took Olga Koch Comes From Money to the Edinburgh Fringe.[51]

In September 2023, it was announced she would be part of series 18 of Live at the Apollo,[52] with Lara Ricote, Celya AB, Rachel Fairburn, Emmanuel Sonubi, Glenn Moore, Ria Lina and Lou Sanders, among others. Koch performed alongside comedian Troy Hawke in episode 5, presented by Emmanuel Sonubi and first broadcast on BBC2 in December 2023.[53]

On 23 February 2024, Koch was a guest on the British podcast No Such Thing as a Fish.[54][55][56][57]

Since 2024, Koch co-hosts the comedy podcast Glue Factory alongside fellow comedians Milo Edwards, Pierre Novellie and Riley Quinn.[58][59]

In January 2026, Koch launched a podcast focused on the TV show Heated Rivalry, called Tonsil Hockey, which she co-hosts with fellow comedian Catherine Bohart.[60]

In February 2026, Koch's new show, Fat Tom Cruise, premiered at Soho Theatre London.[61]

Personal life

Out of fear of persecution by the Russian authorities,[34][62] Koch's parents fled to Germany in June 2014.[63] As of 2015, they live on Lake Chiemsee in Rosenheim, Bavaria.[64][65] Koch often refers to her family background in her comedy.

Koch lives in Angel, London,[66] and is bisexual.[67][68] She became a British citizen in 2021, which is the main theme of her show 'Homecoming'.[69]

References

  1. ^ Olga Koch [@rocknrolga] (29 August 2018). "OH MY GOD IT'S ALSO MY BIRTHDAY ON SATURDAY 🙈🙈🙈" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ "Comedian Olga Koch says she feels like she's speaking for all Russians when she goes onstage". standard.co.uk. Evening Standard. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  3. ^ a b Logan, Brian (27 August 2018). "Olga Koch review – from Russia with love and oligarchs". The Guardian.
  4. ^ "Olga Koch on Russia and stand-up comedy: The Skinny". www.theskinny.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  5. ^ Bennett, Steve. "Olga Koch: Prawn Cocktail : Reviews 2023 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide". www.chortle.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  6. ^ a b c Dessau, Bruce (6 June 2018). "Comedian Olga Koch says she feels like she's speaking for all Russians when she goes onstage". standard.co.uk. Evening Standard.
  7. ^ "Olga Koch, Soho Theatre review - personal, political and playful". theartsdesk.com. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  8. ^ "Olga Koch interview". British Comedy Guide. 23 February 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  9. ^ a b Koch, Olga (8 July 2021). "OK Computer". bbc.co.uk. BBC. Archived from the original on 2 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Olga Koch, comedian tour dates". chortle.co.uk. Powder Blue Internet Business Solutions.
  11. ^ "MSc in Social Science of the Internet | University of Oxford". www.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  12. ^ Logan, Brian (11 August 2023). "Olga Koch: Prawn Cocktail review – a comic in full control of her material". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  13. ^ "Olga". Blank Canvas Entertainment. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  14. ^ "Olga Koch". www.nmplive.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  15. ^ O'Driscoll, David. "Doing a PhD at UCLIC | UCL Interaction Centre". www.ucl.ac.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  16. ^ Logan, Brian (12 August 2024). "The truth about life as a privileged comedian: 'I knew if it all went wrong I could call my parents'". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  17. ^ Davies, Ashley (25 July 2024). "Interview: Olga Koch". Fest Magazine. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  18. ^ "Me, Me, Me". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  19. ^ "Data Night". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  20. ^ "Good Vibes". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  21. ^ Stone, Kate (20 July 2018). "Olga Koch: Fight! Interview". Funny Women Magazine. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  22. ^ "Quantum Leopard Comedy [post]". Facebook. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  23. ^ "Episode 28: Olga Koch | The Quantum Leopard Podcast". quantumleopard.podbean.com. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  24. ^ Hawkins, Si (25 October 2019). "First Gig, Worst Gig - Olga Koch". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  25. ^ "Olga Koch". British Comedy Guide.
  26. ^ Mock The Week [@MockTheWeek] (30 May 2019). "Show Day! Joining Dara and Hugh this week are @TheNewsAtGlenn @AngelaBarnes @tomallencomedy @EdGambleComedy and first timer @rocknrolga tune in to #BBC2 at 10pm" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  27. ^ Bad Advice with Olga Koch (12 February 2022). "Monica Heisey Roasts Disney Adults". youtube. Dave. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  28. ^ "Bad Advice With Olga Koch - Chat Show". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  29. ^ Dave. "Bad Advice with Olga Koch". facebook.com. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  30. ^ "Monkey Barrel Records". Crowdfunder UK. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  31. ^ "Human Error - Downloads". BBC Sounds. BBC. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  32. ^ "Olga Koch: OK Computer, Series 2, 1. Fun". BBC Radio 4. BBC. 22 May 2023. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  33. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - Olga Koch: OK Computer - Available now". BBC. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  34. ^ a b "Olga Koch: Fight". BBC Radio 4. BBC. 26 October 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  35. ^ "Writers' Guild Awards winners". Writers' Guild of Great Britain. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  36. ^ "Olga Koch: Just Friends (WIP) - performances". Pleasance Theatre Trust. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  37. ^ "Lemon Tree | Olga Koch: Just Friends". Aberdeen Performing Arts. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  38. ^ "Hilarious Heartbreaker Olga Koch Will Leave You Desperate To Be 'Just Friends' – 800 Pound Gorilla". 800poundgorillamedia.com. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  39. ^ Crae, Ross (18 August 2022). "Edinburgh Fringe review: Olga Koch, Just Friends". The Sunday Post. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  40. ^ Olga Koch: Just Friends at South Street, 21 October 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  41. ^ "Olga Koch: Just Friends". Soho Theatre. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  42. ^ Olga Koch (16 December 2023). "Just Friends". YouTube. 800 Pound Gorilla Media. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  43. ^ "Release date set for Soho Theatre Live season three". instagram.com. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  44. ^ "Late Night Mash podcast with Geoff Norcott and Olga Koch launches". UKTV Corporate Site. 1 September 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  45. ^ "Late Night Mash, the podcast (yes we've got one too) with Geoff Norcott and Olga Koch". shows.acast.com. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  46. ^ Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable (8 November 2022). "Why Olga Koch's Finger Nails Smell Of 💩". youtube. Dave. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  47. ^ Logan, Brian (11 August 2023). "Olga Koch: Prawn Cocktail review – a comic in full control of her material". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  48. ^ "Olga Koch: Prawn Cocktail : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide". chortle.co.uk. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  49. ^ "Olga Koch: Prawn Cocktail". Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Monkey Barrel Comedy, 9-12 Blair St. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023. Jul 31; Aug 1-27{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  50. ^ "Stand Up Comedian | UK | Olga Koch". 7 January 2024. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  51. ^ Schwartz, Katerina Partolina. "Broadway Baby: Olga Koch Comes From Money". Broadway Baby. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  52. ^ "Comedians Confirmed For Next Series of Live at the Apollo". Beyond The Joke. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  53. ^ "BBC Two - Live at the Apollo, Series 18, Episode 5". BBC. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  54. ^ "Olga Koch Podcast Credits & Appearances | Podchaser". Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  55. ^ "BBC Sounds - No Such Thing As A Fish - Available Episodes". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  56. ^ "No Such Thing As A Fish - No Such Thing As A Noice Computer - BBC Sounds". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  57. ^ Ep 519: No Such Thing As A Noice Computer, 22 February 2024, retrieved 28 February 2024
  58. ^ "Glue Factory Podcast | Glue Factory Podcast". gluefactory.podbean.com. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  59. ^ "Glue Factory". YouTube. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  60. ^ Owen, Kate (26 January 2026). "Olga Koch & Catherine Bohart launch DAILY 'Heated Rivalary' Podcast". Funny Women Magazine. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  61. ^ "Olga Koch: Fat Tom Cruise". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  62. ^ "Olga Koch: Fight - Radio 4 Stand-Up". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  63. ^ SPIEGEL, Benjamin Bidder, DER (8 September 2014). "Ukraine: Russland jagt die Intellektuellen aus dem Land - DER SPIEGEL - Politik". Der Spiegel (in German).{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  64. ^ "Trotzdem kämpfen sie weiter: Nach dem Mord an Boris Nemzow geht in russischen Oppositionskreisen die Angst um. Alle fragen sich: Wer ist der Nächste?" [Nevertheless, they continue to fight: After the murder of Boris Nemtsov, there is fear in Russian opposition circles. Everyone is asking: who is next?]. Südkurier (in German). 4 March 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  65. ^ "Плата за красивую жизнь: Альфред Кох объявлен в федеральный розыск" [Paying for a beautiful life: Alfred Koch put on the federal wanted list]. «Ве́сти» (vesti.ru) (in Russian). 23 November 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  66. ^ CANCELLED w/ Olga Koch, archived from the original on 13 May 2021, retrieved 7 May 2021{{citation}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  67. ^ Olga Koch On Bisexuality | Live at The Moth Club | Dave. Retrieved 15 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  68. ^ Love Island Aftersun, archived from the original on 27 November 2022, retrieved 15 July 2023{{citation}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  69. ^ Logan, Brian (9 September 2021). "Olga Koch review – uproarious, gleefully obscene comedy". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
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