Rhys Nicholson has good reason to celebrate: the past few years have seen the much-loved comedian’s profile continue to rise, thanks to a star-making turn as a judge on Ru Paul’s Drag Race Down Under, plum acting gigs and a run of award-winning stand-up shows. Oh, and they also recently got married to long-term partner Kyran Wheatley (a writer, broadcaster, comedian and producer in his own right). So it’s fitting that Nicholson’s 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival show is titled Huge Big Party Congratulations.
There’s an anticipatory party vibe in the air as we wait for Nicholson to ascend to the Comedy Republic stage – which is semi-surprising given the early 6pm time slot on a Tuesday evening. But a bangin’ soundtrack, bright red spotlight and a pointed opening crack that we’re all tightasses for being here on cheap Tuesday sets the scene for an hour of high-powered hilarity.
The set moves at a sizzling pace – gags come in thick and fast about audiences in other states (people are “proud” in Perth and “weird” on the Gold Coast), whether or not Nicholson would get work done, and how it’s “a tiny bit funny” when billionaires get themselves into trouble, à la the Titanic submersible saga.
But there are a few recurring themes in what initially seems like an off-the-cuff livestream of Nicholson’s inner thoughts. Marriage is one of them, as is the inevitable follow-up question: do you want kids? While Nicholson’s deliberately perplexing go-to answer is “we’re childless by choice but we’re going to keep trying”, it serves as a springboard to dive into their childhood and discuss things like sleepovers with girlfriends, recreational drug use and establishing a roaring porn-selling business (yes, really) with a friend called Marcus.
Nicholson’s relationship is also at the forefront of many cackle-inducing anecdotes, and they discuss how all good marriages involve “pushing your partner to a precipice”. Cue a tale about Nicholson forcing Wheatley to drive them to their drug dealer’s house, and another about an extended family gathering over Christmas that circled back around in the most hilarious fashion to that age-old kid conundrum.
Big Huge Party Congratulations is an opportunity to see a comedian who is cool, confident and at the top of their game. Nicholson is as sharp and biting as ever, with the ability to make you spit out your Champers in a genuine fit of laughter (yes, I can personally attest to this). Congratulations are indeed in order.
Tickets for Huge Big Party Congratulations are now on sale via the MICF website.
