Trying on clothes in a shop is an activity many of us take for granted but for a trans-woman like Sam it can be a daunting experience. Standing in the skirt-suit she has proudly picked out; she talks us through the experiences of someone trying to navigate a world where she finds herself in several different embarrassing situations which may or may not be of her own doing.
Sam speaks of her transition journey, where she is drip fed oestrogen, diagnosed with PTSD and the posturing that comes from some companies during Pride month. It’s an exploration of society’s view of the trans-community, with examples from including choosing your own name and naming a dog.
Although her material solely revolves around her own journey and identity – she backs it up with her comedy.
She says: ‘I had a review that said it’s a laugh a minute’, it’s much more than a laugh a minute here, which as Sam points out isn’t actually a good ratio. I also didn’t realise Gollum from Lord of the Rings was a Trans-Icon.
It’s well paced, no joke feels drawn out, often taking a different direction than expected. An engaging storyteller – everything feels authentic, her stories go from getting a tour of a gym to navigating family dynamics. I would have liked more of Sam’s crowd work, she shines when using the audience to prove her points.
Sam Nicoresti: Baby Doomer, Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker Two), 17:40, Until 24 Aug
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/sam-nicoresti-baby-doomer
