Words: Caitlin Todd
Image: Michael Juling

3 stars

Sam Williams makes a confident Fringe debut at Pleasance Below with Touch Me Not: an original hour of stand-up that explores the intersection of sexuality and Christianity with wit and warmth. The show centres around Williams’ previous assumptions that Christianity and queerness cannot co-exist.

Drawing from his own experiences as a bisexual man of faith, Williams shares stories of Olympic figure skaters in Montreal, awkward flirtations inspired by Desperate Housewives, and that time a workplace post about his boss got him fired. His stint in cat food marketing provides strong material, as does his reimagined 2000s street-slang Bible: a tongue-in-cheek attempt to connect scripture with Gen Z vibes. Full of life lessons, Christian Facebook groups and Dad’s facing midlife breakdowns, this is a solid hour.

Williams, already known from BBC New Comedy Awards, ITV2’s The Stand-Up Sketch Show, and Channel 4 Digital, demonstrates strong stage presence and charm. With over 150 million online views and a spot in last year’s Pleasance Comedy Reserve, Williams takes us on an adventure of self-exploration and finding community.

Sam Williams: Touch Me Not
Below at Pleasance Courtyard
17:50
30th July-25th August (Not 11th)