Review – Rhys Nicholson: Eurgh
Rhys Nicholson is an ambitious and smart comic, with a daring set that he has put together as impeccably as his outfit – right down the the glittery nail polish.
Performing in the small and slightly run down ‘Gold Room’ of the Portland Hotel, Nicholson expertly controls the space to deliver a show that manages to be intimate without being awkward, and confessional without being cringe-worthy.
He frames his fifty-five minutes with the story of a trip to his boyfriend’s family’s rural property. After meeting the llama that they bought to guard their sheep, Nicholson is so moved by the animal that he develops a theory: people are either vulnerable sheep, or noble guard llamas.
This premise suits Nicholson’s mode of performance, which is both self deprecating and unapologetically personal. After putting us at ease, Nicholson gets an enthusiastic response to what is “only the first cock joke of the night” and the promise that there would be many more.
This delightful lewdness is interjected between moments of genuine reflection. Throughout meandering anecdotes that cover his family, childhood, and relationship, Nicholson manages to build a genuine rapport with his audience.
Though some moments of his show were dark and confronting, Nicholson guided us expertly through them. One can’t help but think he made his llama proud.
