Sam Lake‘s new stand-up show opens with a montage of parody videos. He plays a GB News-courting ‘lad’ who claims to be cancelled for his ‘innocent’ views and behaviours. The character seems familiar and the fun segment leads us into the main set as Lake muses on masculinity – ridiculing the fake fear that men are done for and are having a hard time.
The show continues to probe the idea of manliness and sexuality with sections on newly-married life, teenage sexual encounters, and ‘Huns‘ (and gay mens’ obsession with them). A segment on best work friend Claire is especially brilliant and has the audience howling. Throughout, Lake has perfected the delivery of unexpected and seamless punchlines that always feel rewarding and even the audience participation works – where this can often be uncomfortable or unwanted, Lake makes it feel natural and conversational. We want him to chat with us and he’s genuinely looking to hear our responses to questions about our favourite ‘Daddies’.
And it’s this that forms the centrepiece of the show. Lake ponders what this term – a gay community staple – really means and how he can become one himself. At times it’s self-deprecating but often refreshingly confident and always fun. Lake is such a competent performer that there is no space for lag. He churns out the set at impressive, quick-fire speed for the most part, and even when there’s a shift to a more serious segment on revenge porn and young naivety, the anecdotes are still captivatingly told and the difficult intimate memories end with well-timed stings that alleviate the mood. Lake may be an aspiring DILF but he’s a certified comic star.
‘Aspiring DILF’ runs until Sun 27 Aug 2023 at Monkey Barrel 2 at 12:05