Rhys Nicholson: ‘They’re the ones to worry about because you can’t just tell that person to shut up’
The comedian reveals that one of the unexpected flow-on effects from Covid – we all forgot how to be an audience.
The most challenging hecklers in the audience are ... the ones who are a little bit too drunk and a little bit too confident. The worst heckles are the ones that aren’t violent. It’s just a person trying to be involved. They’re the ones to worry about because you can’t just tell that person to shut the f--k up. Because the room will go “hey, they’re just trying to have a good time”. They’re always the ones talking back to rhetorical questions, trying to talk to you about what you’re talking about on stage. After the show, they’re the ones that come up and go “hey, that was me! I’m the one who said that”. I found that after Covid, particularly, we all forgot how to be an audience. A lot more since Covid you get people being a bit chatty because they’re just happy to be talking to anyone!
My gay family Christmas show with my best mate, comedian Joel Creasey, is … almost an antidote to Carols by Candlelight. We call it Karens by Candlelight. Joel and I started doing it last year. December is a very busy time for us and we wanted to be able to hang out with each other and monetise that relationship. It’s an old-fashioned family Christmas variety show – but filthy.
The one thing Joel doesn’t realise about himself is … he’s genuinely the kindest person in showbiz in Australia. But I always tell him that. I think he puts up this front of a messy bitch. But he’s just the most caring ride-or-die type of person. If I killed somebody, he would help me bury the body without asking questions – and he would probably pay for the shovel.
There is no subject matter I wouldn’t go after in comedy because … it’s just about context. It’s about smart writing and empathy. It’s about asking: Is there a victim of this joke? I’ve talked very publicly and made jokes about how I had an eating disorder. I will very comfortably in my own show make jokes about that from my own experience. But I’m literally doing some work with Eating Disorders Victoria and doing some events for them; I’m not going to make those jokes in front of those people. It’s about context, it’s about ownership of things, and not wanting anyone to feel bad.
If someone pushes in front of me at the supermarket … I wouldn’t do anything in the moment because I hate confrontation. But I would stew on that and rage about it. All stand-ups are kind of angry people that have felt wronged in some way so I would probably exaggerate the story and then turn it into a five-minute stand-up bit about how annoying this person was.
The one thing that’s surprised me since my wedding (to husband Kyran Wheatley) about a month and a half ago is … how much I’ve enjoyed being married. Saying “husband” is hugely satisfying. He’s a different drop-down on forms now; I don’t have to tick “de facto domestic partner”. Growing up queer – especially before we had marriage equality – even the likes of fairytales don’t feel for us because fairytales are always a man meets a woman, then they get married
and everything’s great. Being part of this institution, which I think for a long time we raged against, is hugely exciting.
My stage make-up routine is … probably more intense than a lot of my colleagues.
I wear a lot of make-up and I wear a suit.
I want to look a little bit dramatic. It’s a little bit like getting into character. Most stand-ups are amped up versions of themselves. The way I am on stage is trying to be this more articulate version of myself. My husband says I walk differently. If I go to dinner with someone after a show, I accidentally stay in that (zone) – not like some sociopathic method actor – just a bit harsher and sharper.
Rhys & Joel’s Family Christmas is touring Wollongong, Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart, Perth,
Adelaide, Melbourne, November 30 to December 9.
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