With a characteristically flamboyant style, Rhys Nicholson could be the best-dressed-in-show for the whole of the comedy festival. He has a theatrical sensibility to him, and subsequently can be the most melodramatic-in-show for the damn festival as well. As a result, Nicholson doesn’t keep a slow pace through his hour dubbed I’m Fine.
Which is – pardon the pun – fine, but sometimes it was a bit important to dwell on points about school bullying, being an obstinate adolescent and the weirdness of moving to the city. And to let them sink in as well. It’s fantastic that he makes these jokes that are also poignant, but they’d have more impact if they weren’t in a show that seemed so rushed and frantic.
But this eccentricity is valued (and valid) to an extent, and his quirky asides bring a cute little punch to the show. His reflective tone genuinely makes for a nice aura surrounding his stand up. While this is weird to write, a warm tone just shines out from his company on this stage, again, only hampered by the rushed tone of his delivery.
Another small fault comes right at the end of the show, where a slightly tired prop gag makes things seem too cheesy for a show that delves deep into a whole myriad of emotion, but it is a small blunder that doesn’t fully ruin the show but turns it into something that it isn’t.
Nicholson is an impeccable talent with a panache for awesome timing. I’m Fine was a well-tuned show, which probably became too well-tuned when too many ideas intruded. Sometimes a deep thought can be a good thing for reflection, but save it for a writer’s festival instead.
Rhys Nicholson’s I’m Fine is playing until April 23rd at Taxi Riverside as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Get more info here.
The reviewer attended the show on April 7th.
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