one4review | On 26, Aug 2024

The hidden gem of the Fringe.

From his trap door entrance you realise Singapore comedian Sam See is going to be different. 24 shows on the Fringe bootcamp down, the energy of this bow tie pixie like sprite is infectious. Lots of the audience arms are starting to be uncrossed, they are onboard already.

Sam explains the title show comes from a Christian song covered by The Carter Family because he wanted the whitest title ever to confuse people. It hasn’t, he has the right crowd tonight. Let the ceremony begin.

Describing his show as Storytelling and Stand Up, the main framework is his life story, from his early life in Singapore, his love for old movies and watching British shows like ‘Allo ‘Allo! which inspired him to do comedy.
He describes the Singapore comedy scene a hard sell, and being gay means he would more often get a staring ovation from hostile crowds.

Deciding to move away he has a few options, Australia “Brits invented racism, the Aussies perfected it”, USA – An Asian assailant Chinatown shootings in LA put him off due to what he thought was cultural appropriation.
His comedy peers tell him tales of a magical city that for a month sprouts up like a cultural Brigadoon, where anyone can perform and be themselves. He comes to Edinburgh and decides to move the UK.

The next part of the show is his journey getting a Global Talent Visa and the trials, tribulations and hoops to jump through. We also get stories of the way of life in Singapore, the description of highest grossing movie in Singapore propaganda movie called Ah Boys to Men (2012) is a highlight.

His stories of life in the UK are brilliant, shining a light on accents, food and inadvertently being invited to a Polyamorous orgy at New Year.

What is so good about this show it seems so fresh. Comparisons could be made to another great Asian comedian Nigel Ng but this a new voice which needs to be heard.

Overall, it’s a show about hope, but as he says “life is like marmalade, we all need to get sticky sometime”

A must see.

Guest Reviewer Steven

*****
Laughing Horse @ the Counting House