one4review | On 02, Aug 2025

It would be interesting to know the relative words per minute of Sam Nicoresti versus other comedians. I’m pretty sure Sam would win. After one of the best openings of show I’ve seen, this is, as Sam describes, fifty minutes where they talk and we listen and no-one’s allowed to interrupt. That’s okay, because Sam seems to have found thier audience, and this is what folk are here for. The whole audience were in stitches throughout.

Nicoresti is a performer who makes being on stage look natural: utter and subtle command of the environment, while also entirely at ease in thier own skin and on the stage. Nothing sounds or feels rehearsed: pacing, tone, intonation, timing, delivery – Sam could be talking to us down the pub, except they aren’t because there’s also the deluge of almost-meaningless verbiage which starts the show: it’s too good to be off the cuff, however much it sounds like it. Or maybe it isn’t rehearsed: the spontaneous audience interactions are just as sincere and authentic.

Add to this a set list that does not dip in quality: that the time flew by isn’t quite accurate; more that things happen at pace, and the individual elements are so enjoyable, that staying in the present hilarity without wondering about the next is very easy. There’s definitely more than a laugh per minute here, but there’s also excellent command of the grammar of comedy, and how to structure and tell a story.

It almost doesn’t matter what this show’s about, or whether you might personally relate to the experiences within. Sam Nicoresti is a delight, and this show is fabulous.

Reviewed by Laura
Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker Two)
17:40 (1 hr)
Until 24th (not 11th)