Ten festival comedians who share a name

Continuing our series of previews for the Edinburgh Fringe, here are ten comedians called Sam...

1. Sam Jay: We the People

Saturday Night Live’s first black lesbian writer, and star and co-creator of the US comedy series Bust Down, comes to the UK to ask: ‘How does a black queer woman who never felt truly a part of her country grapple with its certain demise?’ 

Pleasance Courtyard, 7pm

2.  Sam Williams: Touch Me Not

The self-proclaimed ‘patron saint of bisexuals’ does good numbers on social media, racking up more than 100million views. His debut talks about  growing up queer without a sense of community, and finding affirmation in the last place he would have expected: church. He believes he’s one of a growing number of comics happy to talk about Christianity on stage, without it being a punchline.  

On making his Edinburgh debut, he said: ‘I’m very excited for everything the month holds. The joy of performing, the anxiety of all of it, the back pain from a budget student accommodation mattress, peaceful runs around the Meadows, every meal at Mosque Kitchen of which I'm already dreaming - words fail. To be a new comedian at the Fringe is to experience life in a pure, unadulterated, nerve wracking form. I can't wait to be exalted and humbled and crushed and reborn through it.’

Pleasance Courtyard, 5.50pm

3. Slugs

Real-life couple Sam Kruger and S E Grummett had a cult it in 2023 with Creepy Boys (review) in which they played  ‘identical’ twin brothers celebrating their 13th birthday party 20 years ago. Now they are back with a ‘ comedy/music/clown/basement puppet nightmare’ that promises to be about absolutely nothing. 

Summerhall, 9.45pm

4. Sam Dodgshon Tries to Hold Your Attention for One Hour (Running Time 45 Mins)

A good title is always a good start. The ‘alternative clown and existential-dreading man-child’  here presents what’s billed as ‘anarchic, interactive late-night show’ in which the audience try to shape the perfect show, using a massive flowchart of decisions.  Ambitious, at least. And VERY late-night...

PBH's Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, 1.10am

5. ​Sam Nicoresti: Baby Doomer

Quirky comic Sam Nicoresti combines overthinking, surrealism and playfulness in their work, and had something of a cult hit a few years back with Cancel Anti Wokeflake Snow Culture, which applied all the comedian’s oddness to the topic of gender. This one’s about ‘losing your mind and finding it agian’

Pleasance Courtyard, 5.4pm

6. Samantha Day: The Great British Menu (of Petty Complaints)

Last year, the accountant who turned comic relatively late in life staged a gameshow in which she tried to determine which was the best generation. Still, perhaps, angling for a broadcast entertainment commission, she has another gameshow this year - this time treating trivial problems ‘with the seriousness they deserve.’

PBH’s Free Fringe @ Voodoo Rooms, 8.45pm

7.  Mel & Sam: The Platonic Human Centipede

The chaotic and VERY high-energy Aussie duo of  Mel O’Brien and Samantha Andrew are back with high-impact musical comedy madness about their co-dependency. Camp, loud and full of pop culture references,  their shows can be a little self-indulgent, but their verve drags their devoted fans into the party spirit. 

Pleasance Courtyard, 8.45pm 

8. ​Sam Lake: You're Joking!? Not Another One!

Cornish-born Sam Lake has scooped a few awards over the years, including Leicester Square Theatre’s New Comedian of the Year in 2018. Now the mildly camp comic presents his third Fringe show  about the highs and lows of pursuing your lifelong passion and just loving a laugh.  As our review said last year, in a festival full of soul-searching, he is ‘confident and happy, content in his marriage and his own skin’

Monkey Barrel at The Tron, 1.35pm 

9. Sam Michael: The World's Oldest Man

In his Fringe debut, the Bristol-based comedian explores feeling older than your years, as he chasing the missed adventures of youth.  And to get some perspective he met the official Guinness World Record holder for the oldest man on the planet for some life advice.  

Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 12.50pm from 13th

10 ​Sam Serrano: Mars

The gender-fluid comedian aims to do nothing less than find the root cause of homophobia and make the world a better place in his ‘coward’s hour’ 45-minute pseudo-debut. He’s experienced it first-hand, having been spat at for wearing make-up, and now he’s ‘monetising it through stand-up’. Penis jokes aplenty are promised

Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 12pm

Published: 15 Jul 2025