Rising comic star Rhys Nicholson

Sartorial funnyman Rhys Nicholson is having a fine time raising laughs with his latest Melbourne International Comedy Festival gig.

“It’s all about me,’’ Rhys Nicholson says of his latest comedy show. Yes, we guessed that from the title, I’m Fine.
But is Nicholson — a nattily dressed comic from Newcastle with bottle-red hair and a dicky bow — really happy with his lot?

“We have to name our shows six months out, long before we even know what our show
is going to be,” he says. “But unusually this year, the title fits.’’

So, it’s about ... feeling fine?

“Yes. I’m turning 27 but I’m not freaking out about my age. I’m looking at where I’m going and where I’ve have been. This is my sixth show. Four of them, I know, were terrible. Three definitely were. Last year went pretty OK.’’

More than OK. Nicholson’s Bona Fide was nominated for a prestigious Barry Award at the 2016 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. And earned a 4.5 star Herald Sun review.

But it’s not accolades that inspire this fast-talking RAW Comedy graduate and Comedy Store regular. As Nicholson says, “I have no other skills. I never went to uni, never went to TAFE. I left school wanting to be a comedian with no other back-up plan.

“Had no idea how a comedy career might happen either. Don’t know now. But here I am.”

Fine. Let’s see how Nicholson finds the laughs.

Rhys Nicholson grabs a bite to eat. Picture: Tom Huntley

THE WAIT

“I’m a terrible sit-down writer. I’m better at just talking things out on stage in tryouts. That way
it grows and then, when it’s close to going on, I lock it down. My audience? Oh, a lot of straight people. Very few gay people. I don’t think I’m interesting to them. I used to try and be a shock comedian but I’m not so much any more. Making sex funny is kind of a low bow, the most mined subject in comedy, I would think.’’

Rhys Nicholson being fitted for a suit at Jack London. Picture: Tom Huntley

THE SOUND

“The getting ready part of the process — getting the make-up on, getting into the suit — takes about 40 minutes. Before that, I always do a soundcheck. That way you sort of ‘read’ the room. I dunno if doing stand-up feels powerful. Depends what room it is and what mood I’m in. I like getting to that point where I can walk on thinking, ‘I’m gonna have fun and wander a bit.’ ’’

Rhys Nicholson conducting a sound check. Picture: Tom Huntley

THE SHOW

“BEING out there (on stage) is the only place where I’m in control. It's the only place where
I feel I have a hold on anything. No one teaches you how to do comedy but I’ve worked out how my jokes work. After a show? Oh, I’m usually out front with the ‘merch’. I’ve got these little laser-cut brooches that I make myself. They have a different animal on them each time. Had llamas one year, then dachshunds and reindeer. This year I’m doing pelicans. I sell a few but mostly people just want to talk. They come up afterwards and blurt out insane things that have happened to them. You learn a lot of things you never thought you needed to know.’’

Rhys Nicholson at the Brisbane Comedy Festival Gala. Picture: Dylan Evans

Rhys Nicholson: I’m Fine, until April 23.
The Cube (Federation Square) and Mondays at Melbourne Town Hall (Supper Room). comedyfestival.com.au

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