Exploring marriage, money, and Magnums, Australian stand-up comedian Rhys Nicholson takes the stage for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, before they continue their UK tour. Huge Big Party Congratulations! has been one of my most highly anticipated shows for this Fringe, as Rhys is my flatmate’s favourite comedian. I’d seen some videos on Instagram and I knew this show was a must-see. We were laughing from start to finish and left pondering the big existential questions: I mean, does your dog know your name?
The show begins with Rhys’ observations of our wonderful Edinburgh and the hilarious dichotomies between the tourist centre of the day and the bright city lights at night. They warn us of the dangers of becoming a billionaire (maybe avoid submarines?) and calls out fairytales for reproducing the straight male fantasy that men can turn up halfway through the story and be the hero. And they do it all in a stunning iridescent green blazer.
The hour-long show keeps you belly-laughing from start to finish. Rhys reveals the lies stand-ups tell but assures their audience that all their stories are true (mostly). They question consumerism, capitalism and cannabis, although I’m not certain how well the audience can relate to the apparently more relaxed pharmaceutical industry in Australia. They are quick to jump from one topic to the next and talk at an impressive speed, which they explain is part of their ADHD, but this only adds to their charm and quick-witted humour. They slip-in some risqué jokes but the audience lapped up every second. There wasn’t a quiet moment, someone was always chuckling.
Rhys was honest and open while funny and joyful in sharing stories of medical mysteries, teenage embarrassment and the constant pestering from their friends to have kids. They continually ask: is having kids as rewarding as parents say it is? They provide some creative ideas of how to ruin Christmas with your in-laws and encourage us to push our partners to the precipice each and every day. The show finished with a huge (big party congratulations) round of applause and Rhys was outside afterwards to meet adoring fans (my flatmate could not have been happier).
Rhys Nicholson: Huge Big Party Congratulations! is on at 20:25 at Ermintrude in Underbelly, Bristo Square, 18-25 Aug.
Tickets available here.
Image provided to The Student as press material.
