The star of Rhys Nicholson has certainly risen, progressing from a struggling Sydney comedian, selling homemade bow-ties after shows and working at the evening’s box office, to hosting their own sold-out hour-long show at the same venue – it’s certainly been an impressive journey to witness.
Their show was to be a triumph of navigating a treasure trove of topics, from first jobs, to ADHD diagnoses, to long-term relationships to learning how to deal with your age, “You’re always the oldest you’ve ever been!”, Nicholson declares when contemplating the fear of ageing.
Nicholson had the important, but tricky ability to relate to everyone in the room. This is no easy feat for an artist that is now proudly non-binary and gay, but also grew up in the mining town of Newcastle (“my shithole!”) and has a loving and supportive family. Having said that, their bit about divorce and wanting to get married soon – so they can – had the room in raptures.
The running theme of the evening was ‘risk’ (“gay people have risky blood”) and it was a perfect analogy for the path that the comedian has taken, which has ultimately paid off, presenting the opportunity for them to appear as a judge on the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.
Despite working through a range of themes, some of which could certainly be declared ‘risky’ (see: heterosexual pornography awakenings and coming out), the comedian worked through them with, not only cheek and humour, but intellect and self-awareness that kept the audience firmly on Nicholson’s side. And really, if you weren’t, maybe that’s your own problem.
“I always dreamt of being on the Enmore Theatre stage”, admitted Rhys Nicholson at the start of the show and it was there that the former box-office staff member would perform a celebratory performance and one that should be always be remembered as a dream come true.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Reviewer attended 6th May. Rhys will be performing again at Enmore Theatre on Saturday, 21st May. Tickets can be purchased HERE
The Sydney Comedy Festival runs until 22nd May – head over to their WEBSITE for more details
