Simple Town Review: The Pythonesque Jokers Revitalizing Sketch Comedy at Edinburgh Festival 2025
Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh – New York-based comedy troupe Simple Town has made waves in their Edinburgh festival debut, redefining modern sketch comedy with an electrifying blend of sharp wit, improvisational energy, and offbeat humor. Known for their intriguing ‘freewheeling logic,’ the group delivers a refreshing burst of creativity to a genre that has struggled to maintain prominence in the UK. Simple Town’s unique approach promises to breathe life into sketch comedy, offering a blend of silly absurdity and thought-provoking satire that has captivated audiences.
Unpredictable Humor and Boundary-Pushing Sketches
Dubbed as “four teens in their 30s,” the group—comprised of Will Niedmann, Caroline Yost, Felipe Di Poi Tamargo, and Sam Lanier—opens their show with a playful yet punchy critique of gender biases. In their first sketch, they present a hilarious scenario involving NASA scientists baffled by the inclusion of a woman who can perform advanced mental math. The scene seamlessly transitions through different comedic movements, keeping the audience laughing and guessing.
In true Simple Town style, the group’s humor pulls viewers into absurd, sometimes barely explicable situations. Whether exploring social awkwardness in a reunion sketch with mismatched couples or deconstructing the ideological divides in the U.S. through a firing squad skit, they keep their audience entertained with a mix of clever satire and outright nonsense. This Pythonesque energy has drawn comparisons to legendary sketch groups, with some routines leaving viewers pondering the elusive logic behind their comedy.
A Unique Take on Modern Team Comedy
What makes Simple Town’s show particularly intriguing is its slacker aesthetic and a sense of camaraderie among the performers. Each skit feels like an invitation to a casual hangout with the ‘coolest’ friends, creating an approachable atmosphere despite the intricate humor. Their firing squad sketch, for instance, doubles as a critique on polarized political discourse while still delivering punchy, nonsensical humor. This balance of thoughtfulness and whimsy underscores Simple Town’s unique comedic voice.
Highlights from the Performance
Other standout moments include a reflective monologue from an audience member whose improv suggestion is used on stage—a simple yet effective insight into human self-importance. The show concludes on a high note, parodying middle-class American reverence for European sophistication. Even this seemingly straightforward routine slyly turns into a comedic critique of the U.S. education system, reminiscent of classic ‘Four Yorkshiremen’-style sketches.
The group’s ability to layer comedy with deeper social commentary showcases the depth of their artistry. Audiences leave entertained and, occasionally, contemplative. But make no mistake—this is team comedy rooted in pure fun, performed with effortless charisma and unpretentious humor.
A Must-See at Edinburgh Festival
Simple Town’s debut reminds audiences just how exhilarating sketch comedy can be when done right. Their show, running at Pleasance Courtyard until August 24, is truly a gem of the Edinburgh festival lineup. If you enjoy comedy that is as intelligent as it is absurd, this group might just be your next favorite act.
Don’t miss Simple Town at this year’s Edinburgh Festival—a show destined to redefine how audiences view sketch comedy.
