With this high-energy show from a comedian who has built a reputation for one-liners and sass you get pretty much exactly what you would expect. It’s sharp and punchy. Good comedy, but without much challenge or adventure into uncharted territory.
As the name implies, the show Rhys, Rhys, Rhys is largely biographical, covering a few key aspects of Nicholson’s life to date. After a rapid-fire start, the pace is set and rarely lets up even in the most emotionally introspective segments. We learn about their childhood when they never had to come out as gay, early jobs in oddly named retail establishments, pandemic drinking habits and thoughts on ageing.
This straightforward observational material is delivered with some gorgeous turns of phrase and a finely judged presentation style marked by camp and scratchy archness. Nicholson works in countless one-liners and asides, all delivered at a rapid clip, supported by more ruminative storytelling.
Aside from the notes on what’s happening around them, a large part of the show deals with something more personal – their recent coming out as non-binary. It has great depth of detail and it is a real low-key celebration of a pretty affirmative step. The jokes come a little less thick and fast, but we’re still laughing. The show came, coincidentally, on the 53rd anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York – what better time to reflect on their experiences like this and strike such a positive note.
As the hour-long show runs on, the pace and energy dip. The high-octane fuel that powers Nicholson runs out and we feel it. A strong finish, with his recently viral story about the easy nature of the New Zealand border force taking the focus, could have come in earlier and made for a tighter and sharper set. Rhys, Rhys, Rhys is a fairly well-honed performance with still a little more consideration needed before it settles into perfection.
Runs until 1 July 2023 and continues to tour
Tickets available at https://www.mickperrin.com/
