Sam Lake is an award-winning stand-up comedian who first started performing in 2015. His entrance into the comedy world began after an awkward date to Soho Theatre, where he saw that they offered stand-up comedy courses. He signed up for this course, and after he finished it, he did his first gig at the prestigious Soho Theatre. Now, comedy is Sam Lake’s full-time job, and he has won numerous awards, including the Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year. Sam Lake is also a writer and presenter, and he has appeared in The Comedy Guide to Life and The Joy of Missing Out. His latest project is a UK tour where he will perform ‘Aspiring DILF’ in cities such as Brighton, Edinburgh, and Bristol from February to April 2024. I spoke with the acclaimed comic about his upcoming tour.
Tell me about your comedy show, ‘Aspiring DILF’. What can the audience expect?
“Aspiring DILF is a show about me trying to become a better man, specifically a sexy little Daddy. I talk about my relationships with different men, both romantic and non-romantic. It’s a really fun show; it’s camp; it’s funny, but there’s also a good reason I’m talking about all this stuff, but that’s a treat only the audience who come to the show get to hear more about.”
What made you want to bring your show to Brighton?
“Brighton is such a lovely place to gig, and not just because when I get the train home, there’s that nice Belgian fries shop by the train station. The crowds there have always been a dream, so I’m hoping some of them pop along to DILF.”
You are a writer and presenter as well. How did you transition into this from comedy?
“Well, I’ve dabbled in writing here and there for some nice shows like Mock The Week (RIP, nothing to do with my writing, I hope). And I do a lot of MC/hosting gigs, so I’ve got lots of practice chatting to different types of people at varying states of, um, let’s say coherence. So that naturally leads to presenting. Honestly, whack me on This Morning, I think I’d thrive.”
How are you preparing for your tour?
“It’s a strict regime of stretching, keeping my quads nice and loose. I’m benching 70 kg, and I’m necking seven protein shakes a day. I’m in the best shape of my life. Ready to handle the physical strain of standing up for one hour straight.”
What are you most looking forward to about this tour?
“Honestly, just getting to give the show a life outside of its Edinburgh Fringe bubble. It’s the first time I’m doing a tour, so I feel quite excited to trot it around the country and do it for people who wouldn’t normally venture all the way to Scotland.”
What are your plans after this tour; do you want to do more writing, presenting, or something else?
“The long-term goal that I am manifesting is that one day I am asked to host the Eurovision Song Contest. And I think it could DEFINITELY happen one day. Until then, I’m excited to do my tour and hopefully record the show as a special soon as well. I’m also about to host a new series of my podcast: “I’ve Had A Rosé, let’s talk about feelings” So keep an ear out for that!”
Sam Lake: Aspiring DILF is coming to Brighton Komedia on the 3rd of February, 2024.
