Comedian - Sam Nicoresti - Comedy in Your Eye

comedyinyoureye
Aug 14
11 min read

Updated: Aug 23

Comedian - Sam Nicoresti - Comedy: The Surreal and Stylish Auteur of Laughter

In August 2025, a pivotal moment unfolded at the Edinburgh Fringe: Sam Nicoresti won the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show. This was not merely a personal triumph; it was a historic milestone, as Nicoresti became the first trans comedian to receive the accolade, often dubbed the "Oscars of Comedy". This victory cemented what discerning followers of the UK comedy circuit already knew: Sam Nicoresti is one of the most vital, innovative, and profoundly funny voices of their generation. A multi-award-winning writer, performer, and comedian from Birmingham, Nicoresti has carved a unique niche by blending surreal theatre, intellectual rigour, and a disarmingly playful vulnerability.

Their work is a complex tapestry of stand-up, film, and music that fearlessly explores consciousness, identity, and cosmic horror. This is the definitive guide to the

comedian Sam Nicoresti and their groundbreaking comedy. We will journey through their career, deconstruct a comedic style that is both "daft but also deft" , analyse their evolution through a series of landmark shows, and explore their essential contribution to the conversation around queerness, art, and identity in Britain today.

The Nicoresti Style: A Blueprint of Surrealism, Intellect, and Playfulness

To understand Sam Nicoresti's comedy is to appreciate an artist who masterfully synthesises apparent contradictions. Their style is consistently described as a fusion of "obsessive neuroticism and lyrical phrasing" with a "surrealist instinct and childish playfulness". This isn't a random collection of traits but a deliberate artistic strategy. The neuroticism fuels the intricate, detail-rich worlds they build, while the playfulness makes challenging, cerebral ideas feel accessible and joyous. Critics have lauded their work as "fizzing with ideas and great jokes," noting that it is "simultaneously smart and silly". This combination allows them to tackle profound themes—gender identity, mental health, the nature of reality—without ever feeling preachy or didactic. The silliness acts as a Trojan horse for the intellectual depth, inviting the audience into a complex conversation through the universal language of laughter.

This unique approach has earned Nicoresti comparisons to "a touch of the young Daniel Kitson" , a significant nod within the alternative comedy scene that signals a shared territory of intricate storytelling and emotional resonance. However, Nicoresti's use of multimedia sets them apart. The repeated description of them as an "auteur" is particularly telling. This term, usually reserved for film directors with a singular, controlling vision, is apt. Nicoresti is a talented filmmaker, musician, and designer in their own right, and their shows are not merely stand-up sets but fully realised theatrical experiences. They seamlessly integrate film, soundscapes, and music to create what they call "thick, delirious routines". This makes them a true multimedia artist who uses the stage as their primary canvas, a distinction that elevates their work beyond the conventional boundaries of stand-up comedy.

From Birmingham to the Soho Theatre: Charting an Unconventional Rise

Sam Nicoresti’s journey from the Birmingham arts scene to the pinnacle of UK comedy has been defined by artistic integrity rather than a pursuit of mainstream trends. Their career began not in a traditional comedy club but at a youth theatre cabaret around 2005, a debut that memorably concluded with a chaotic pie fight. This early theatrical, anarchic spirit would become a hallmark of their work. Nicoresti honed their craft within a creatively fertile alternative scene, becoming an indispensable member of the influential Weirdos comedy group and the cult anti-competition, The Glang Show. These collaborations placed them at the heart of a community that values experimentation and artistic risk-taking over formulaic, TV-friendly comedy.

The industry soon took notice of this singular talent. A major breakthrough came in 2021 when Nicoresti won the prestigious Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year award, a significant industry endorsement that highlighted their undeniable stage presence and charisma. This was followed by a nomination for Best MC at the Chortle Awards in 2024, demonstrating peer recognition for their skill in commanding a room. However, the most telling indicator of their ascent has been the critical and commercial success of their Edinburgh Fringe shows. Both UFO (2019) and a subsequent show earned transfers to London's prestigious Soho Theatre, a key benchmark of success on the UK circuit. This career trajectory—from cult Fringe hits to major awards and West End runs—is a testament to a path forged through critical acclaim and word-of-mouth, proving that a steadfast commitment to a unique artistic vision can lead to the most meaningful and enduring success.

An Evolution in Four Acts: Deconstructing the Edinburgh Shows

The narrative of Sam Nicoresti's artistic and personal journey can be traced through their four major solo shows. Each represents a distinct chapter, building on the last to form a cohesive and powerful body of work that charts their evolution from an explorer of abstract, cosmic ideas to an award-winning documentarian of the trans experience.

Show Title	Year	Key Themes	Notable Venues/Awards
Bedtime	2018	Consciousness, Cosmic Horror	Edinburgh Fringe (Midnight cult-hit)
UFO	2019	Alienation, Loneliness, String Theory	Edinburgh Fringe, Soho Theatre
Cancel Anti Wokeflake Snow Culture	2022	Identity Politics, Cancel Culture, Queerness	Edinburgh Fringe, Filmed Special (Wokeflake)
Baby Doomer	2025	Trans Experience, Mental Health, Joy, Love	Edinburgh Fringe (Best Show Winner)

Cosmic Dread and Cult Hits: Bedtime (2018) and UFO (2019)

Nicoresti's early solo shows established their reputation for high-concept, surrealist world-building. Bedtime (2018) became a "midnight cult-hit" at the Edinburgh Fringe, its late-night slot perfectly suited to its exploration of consciousness and cosmic horror. This was followed by the critically acclaimed UFO in 2019, a show about "trans-dimensional loneliness" that later transferred to the Soho Theatre. Described as a "surrealist comedy performance about space and death and string-theory" , the show saw Nicoresti perform in a full astronaut suit, using impressive audio-visuals to craft a warped reality around the premise of a 1998 alien abduction.

In these early works, the surreal frameworks were not mere gimmicks but powerful metaphors for deeply human emotions. Nicoresti themselves described UFO as being about "finding connection in an isolating universe". The concept of alien abduction served as a vehicle to explore profound feelings of alienation—from society, from others, and from oneself—without needing to be explicitly autobiographical. These shows represent a more abstract phase of the identity exploration that would become the central, beating heart of their later, more personal work.

Confronting the Culture Wars: Cancel Anti Wokeflake Snow Culture (2022)

The 2022 show Cancel Anti Wokeflake Snow Culture (later filmed as the special Wokeflake) marked a pivotal moment in Nicoresti's career and life. It was a "blistering takedown of cancel culture, identity politics, piss and the human soul," presented as a complex multimedia journey. The show's genius lay in its dual structure: it featured Nicoresti performing as themselves, exploring their burgeoning gender identity, while also presenting their satirical alter-ego, "Nam Sicoresti," a cancelled, right-wing comic obsessed with the culture wars.

This show was more than just commentary; it was a catalyst for profound self-discovery. Nicoresti has been open about how the process of creating the show directly influenced their personal life. They explained that after trying to research the "toxic cesspit of angry men" for the show, they became ill and had to step back. It was then that the project became "a lot more about my own journey into queerness alongside this struggle with these quite harmful ideas and how I internalise them". This created a powerful feedback loop where the art and the artist's life informed each other in real-time. The act of creating the satirical, toxic male alter-ego seemed to necessitate the emergence of a more authentic, vulnerable self. This makes Wokeflake an incredibly brave and significant piece of work—not just a comedy show, but a public document of personal transformation.

The Award-Winner: Finding Joy in Baby Doomer (2025)

If Wokeflake was a deconstruction of identity amidst cultural conflict, Baby Doomer was a triumphant reconstruction, built on a foundation of joy, vulnerability, and an exceptionally high joke count. The show, which won the 2025 Edinburgh Comedy Award, represented a stylistic pivot towards what The Guardian called a more "mainstream brand of standup". The central narrative is deceptively simple: it begins with a "humiliating experience in a department store changing room" and spins out into a hilarious and moving exploration of life as a trans woman, mental health, and the quest for the perfect skirt suit.

The show’s true power lies in its tone. In a political climate often hostile to trans people, Nicoresti made the radical choice to respond not with anger, but with an "ebullient" and "self-deprecating joyfulness". As one review noted, there is "No tub-thumping here". Instead, Nicoresti masterfully finds the universal humanity in their specific experiences, turning potential trauma into farcical, relatable comedy. The title itself—

Baby Doomer—captures this duality, referencing both the "trans experience of rebirth" and the "dread" of intergenerational tension and global anxiety. By choosing to be relentlessly funny and joyful while never "soft-soaping the challenges" of their life, Nicoresti created a show that was not only hilarious but also a profound political statement. It asserts that in the face of prejudice, one of the most powerful acts of resistance is to laugh, to connect, and to live with unapologetic joy.

Comedy as Catharsis: Identity, Queerness, and the Trans Experience on Stage

Across their body of work, Sam Nicoresti has used the stage as a space for profound exploration and catharsis, making them one of the most important chroniclers of the contemporary trans experience in UK comedy. Their work has evolved from using abstract metaphors to a direct, embodied articulation of their identity. In UFO, alienation was a cosmic concept; by Wokeflake, it was a political and internal struggle; and in Baby Doomer, it is a lived, physical reality—the feeling of being in a changing room, the logistics of freezing sperm, the joy of finding an outfit that feels like home. This progression reveals an artist growing ever more confident in their own skin and in their ability to articulate that experience with breathtaking nuance and humour.

Nicoresti speaks with lyrical clarity about the nature of queerness, describing its "joy" as being in its "vagueness," noting, "we're not nation states our borders are fluid". Their comedy finds the funny in the everyday absurdities of trans life, from navigating public toilets to the complex family question of being an "aunt Sam or uncle Sam?". This is comedy as a tool for empathy. As Nicoresti stated in an interview, they "kind of transitioned on stage" , inviting the audience into that process. The powerful closing monologue of the

Wokeflake special is a direct appeal for connection, thanking the queer community for "fighting to make this a world in which people like me feel more connected and less alone". By finding the universal humanity in their specific journey, Nicoresti’s comedy builds bridges, arguing that shared laughter is the most potent antidote to prejudice.

A Fresh, Bright Voice: Nicoresti's Impact and Future in British Comedy

Sam Nicoresti’s Edinburgh award win places them in an elite lineage of British comedy greats, including Stephen Fry, Steve Coogan, and Sarah Millican. As the first trans winner, their victory is a landmark moment that signals a shift in the kinds of voices and stories the comedy establishment is ready to celebrate. Nica Burns, director of the awards, perfectly captured their significance, calling them a "fresh, bright voice that we need in 2025".

Nicoresti's work resonates so deeply because it is both intensely personal and speaks to broader generational anxieties. The very title Baby Doomer connects their personal "rebirth" with the "doomerism" felt by many facing a chaotic and precarious world. They are also an articulate critic of the industry they now lead, calling out the commercialisation of the Fringe and advocating for greater affordability for emerging artists.

Looking ahead, Nicoresti's ambition is driven by a relentless creative impulse, a need to "keep moving or I die, like a shark". Their goal is simple yet profound: to "get to a point where I can make things I'm proud of full time". For audiences and the UK comedy scene, the prospect of what this singular, brilliant, and deeply human artist will create next is an exhilarating one. Sam Nicoresti is not just a great trans comedian; they are a great comedian, full stop, whose work is essential for understanding this moment in time.

Quick Takeaways

Award-Winning Innovator: Sam Nicoresti is the winner of the 2025 Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show, the first trans comedian to receive the honour.
Unique Comedic Style: Their comedy is a distinctive blend of intellectual depth, surrealism, multimedia art, and disarming playfulness, earning them the label of a comedy "auteur."
Evolution Through Shows: Their solo shows chart a clear artistic and personal evolution, from the abstract cosmic horror of Bedtime and UFO to the politically engaged satire of Wokeflake and the joyful vulnerability of Baby Doomer.
A Pivotal Voice on Identity: Nicoresti's work is a vital and hilarious exploration of the trans experience, using personal stories to build empathy and connection with a wide audience.
Art as Catalyst: Their 2022 show, Cancel Anti Wokeflake Snow Culture, was a direct catalyst for their own journey into queerness, demonstrating a rare and powerful fusion of life and art.
The Power of Joy: Their award-winning show Baby Doomer makes a radical statement by responding to a hostile political climate with overwhelming joy, humanity, and a high gag rate.
Future of British Comedy: Nicoresti represents a new wave of comedians whose success is built on artistic integrity and deeply personal storytelling, making them a crucial voice for their generation.

Conclusion

Sam Nicoresti has firmly established themself not just as a comedian to watch, but as an essential artist defining the current moment in British comedy. Their journey from the cult, experimental spaces of the Edinburgh Fringe to its highest honour is a powerful narrative of artistic persistence and unwavering vision. Through a unique synthesis of surrealism, intellectual curiosity, and profound emotional honesty, Nicoresti has expanded the possibilities of what a stand-up show can be. They are a multimedia auteur who crafts entire worlds on stage, inviting audiences to laugh at the absurdity of existence while contemplating its deepest questions.

More than just an innovator of form, Nicoresti has used their platform to tell a story of trans identity that is nuanced, human, and, above all, incredibly funny. In shows like Wokeflake and the triumphant Baby Doomer, they have transformed personal vulnerability into a source of universal connection and radical joy. Their work serves as a powerful reminder that comedy, at its best, is not just about escaping the world but about understanding it—and each other—more deeply. As they continue to create, Sam Nicoresti is not just making us laugh; they are shaping the future of British comedy, proving that the most personal stories are often the most resonant, and that the brightest voices are those that dare to be entirely, wonderfully themselves. To truly understand where UK comedy is heading, one need only watch Sam Nicoresti.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Sam Nicoresti best known for? Sam Nicoresti is best known for their multi-award-winning stand-up comedy, particularly their 2025 show Baby Doomer, which won the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show. They are celebrated for a unique comedic style that blends surrealism, multimedia, intellectual themes, and a joyful, vulnerable exploration of their experience as a trans woman.

2. What are the main themes in Sam Nicoresti's comedy? The primary themes in their work include identity, queerness, the trans experience, mental health, consciousness, and cosmic horror. Their shows often use surreal concepts like alien abduction or cultural phenomena like "cancel culture" as frameworks to explore these deeply personal and human topics.

3. Has Sam Nicoresti won any major comedy awards? Yes, Sam Nicoresti is a highly decorated comedian. Their most significant award is the 2025 Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show for Baby Doomer. They also won the Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year award in 2021 and were nominated for Best Compere at the Chortle Awards in 2024.

4. Where can I see Sam Nicoresti's comedy? Sam Nicoresti performs regularly at top comedy venues across the UK, including London's Soho Theatre and clubs like Comedy in Your Eye. Their 2022 show was filmed and released as a special titled

Wokeflake, which is available to watch online. You can find their upcoming live dates on their official website.

5. How does Sam Nicoresti's trans identity influence their stand-up? Their trans identity is central to their recent work, providing the narrative and emotional core for shows like Wokeflake and Baby Doomer. They use their lived experience to create comedy that is both specific and universally relatable, finding humour in everything from fraught changing room encounters to complex family dynamics, ultimately using their platform to foster empathy and joy.