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Review – Rhys Nicholson: I’m Fine

<p>“And then, like some sort of Dickarus who had flown too close to the sun…” He holds the rubber fist sex toy up in the air, triumphant. The lights black out. Thus concludes Rhys Nicholson’s newest show, ‘I’m Fine’ – a hilarious performance in which the audience is made privy to the inner workings of [&hellip;]</p>

Culture

“And then, like some sort of Dickarus who had flown too close to the sun…”

He holds the rubber fist sex toy up in the air, triumphant. The lights black out. Thus concludes Rhys Nicholson’s newest show, ‘I’m Fine’ – a hilarious performance in which the audience is made privy to the inner workings of the young comic’s mind.  Exhausted after an hour of being doubled over with laughter, one cannot help but love the chic, scathing, brilliant entity that is Nicholson.

With his mind – and tongue – working at a million miles a minute, Nicholson traverses his experiences of making anxiety fun, late night Yahoo Answers, Tasmanian ghost whimsy, surviving long term relationships, being a gay teenager in Newcastle and his family’s ridiculous need to fully commit to any task – even if it results in a horrible blowjob accident. Nicholson improvises quips (“oh – that’s actually a pretty good joke”) and waits patiently for the audience to catch on, eyes darting about as he surveys who will pick up on it first. If you stare at his hand for long enough you become hypnotised by his ridiculously fast gesticulations. He truly is a force to be reckoned with.

Surprisingly unpolitical for someone who publicly married fellow comedian Zoe Coombs Marr in protest against our marriage laws, Nicholson keeps the show light, only commenting on his dislike of the boat people – white, elderly Australians on cruise ships.

As a spectator, you will be left slightly dumbfounded at what has just occurred, and also disbelieving that an hour has already passed. You won’t want it to end but it’s okay: you can chat to Nicholson after the show as he sells hand-made pelican badges which mar you as a pervert. Overall, the show is a must for anybody who believes they deserve to treat themselves to a wonderful night of fun. Go and see him if only for this message: if someone is willing to fuck a foot, they’ll be willing to fuck you too.

 
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