When he appeared at the Brisbane Comedy Festival, Rhys Nicholson was as debonair as ever, in contrast to the not-so glamorous life of touring on the standup comedy circuit… especially in places like Tasmania, he tells the audience.
Like previous shows and indeed perhaps all quality comedy, Nicholson’s latest show I’m Fine is anchored by its personal subject matter (‘you’ve got to write what you know’ he emphasises) including share of his fear of dancing and tell of what his ghost story would be. From tales of the transitions into adult life, the changes that come with couple cohabitation and expose of whether health really equals happiness, Nicholson takes audiences to some unexpected and often inappropriate places. There is only touch on the political with talk of white guilt and marriage equality. Self-deprecation features as a central focus in his recall of at-school stories of initial unpopularity and later promiscuity
While Ivan Milat backpacker jokes ensure that it is certainly not for the easily-offended, I’m Fine is full of entertaining anecdotes and many very funny moments as evidence of Nicholson’s charisma as a performer.
Venue: Brisbane Powerhouse
Dates: 28 February – 5 March
Meredith Walker
For more of Meredith Walker’s theatre reviews, check out Blue Curtains Brisbane.
David Edwards is the editor of The Blurb and a contributor on film and television
