Sami Abu Wardeh is a Palestinian-Irish comedian who gained acclaim in 2025 for his multi-stranded physical comedy show Palestine: Peace de Resistance. He returns to the Fringe this year with new stand-up show ‘Sami Abu Wardeh Hates You.’ Before, he’s presenting a Work in Progress version of the show this weekend at the Monkey Barrel. We spoke to Sami about the show, why he’s bringing a pure stand-up hour this year, and  his hopes for August.

Can you tell us about ‘Sami Abu Wardeh Hates You’?

Hate is celebrated on the right and a taboo for the rest of us. This has resulted in Farage eliciting an eye-roll from the media when he spews vitriol, compared to the affected shock and disgust when anyone on the ‘left’ slips up – or, in the case of Zack Polanski, says reasonable and compassionate things. My show initially was an examination of hate, but as I am fundamentally a clown by trade, it’s not really that at all and it’s just an hour of me finding excuses to make silly noises.

For those who might be unfamiliar with you, how would you describe your comedy and your approach to performance?

Joy, anger, rage, fun, silliness, and, of course, hate.

You had a full run at the Fringe last year with the multi-narrative clown show ‘Palestine: Peace de Resistance. What was the reason for an hour of pure stand-up this year?

Touring a theatre-style show with props and tech is prohibitively expensive thanks to Mother Thatcher. And so I’ve decided to do a stand-up hour so I can afford food and shelter.

The show asks if hate is the sole preserve of the Far Right, and if it can have a positive effect. How would you mitigate the possibility of that hate curdling into its own prejudice and bigotry?

To put it simply, we need to start openly hating Nazis and genocidaires, and doing something about them quickfast.

You’ve stated in another interview that you moved or were displaced around 20 times during your childhood. Would that have some influence on how you now have such a nomadic occupation? It could perhaps be seen as counter-intuitive response.

I’m actually a medical doctor, and have been working as one for fifteen years, which has also resulted in me moving around a lot to go to where the work is in the country. I’m used to moving around. I’ve lived in London for eight years, which is the longest I’ve ever lived in one place, and am getting itchy feet…

What are your hopes for the show? What would constitute a successful Fringe for you?

Breaking even or more would be a big achievement. Would love people to have a good time and feel like they’ve got their money’s worth. The permanent looming elephant of the terrible comedy that has flooded our lives has meant it’s hard for punters to know if they’re buying a ticket to something that will satisfy the basic requirements of a comedy hour. Many ‘comedy content creators’ who have had massive online success then go on to monetise it with live shows, and these shows are for the most part crap because they’ve not spent the time honing their craft. So I’d love to be a part of a space of shows where people have made an effort to write and structure something that has a bit of depth and care.

What are the best and worst things about the Fringe?

Best: getting your show better over three and a half weeks to get it tour ready. Nowhere else in the UK can you really do that.

Worst: Everything else.

Besides ‘…Hates You’, can we expect to see you performing elsewhere during August; guest spots, compilation shows, etc?

Yes! Please keep an eye out for me everywhere, I also can occasionally appear unexpectedly in various parts of your house when you least expect it; eg. under the kitchen sink.

Are there any other shows/ performers at the Fringe that you would recommend?

Bróccán Tyzack-Carlin’s ‘Good News it’s Been Destroyed’
Bilal Zafar’s new hour

‘Sami Abu Wardeh Hates You (WIP)‘ is at Monkey Barrel Comedy, Edinburgh on Sat 13 Jun 2026

‘Sami Abu Wardeh Hates You‘ is at Beside at Pleasance Courtyard from Wed 5 to Sun 30 Aug 2026