Currently, Rhys Nicholson is touring the UK with their new show Huge Big Party Congratulations!, which they also performed at Edinburgh Fringe. Huge Big Party Congratulations! is directed by Rhys’ husband Kyran, and Rhys will next be performing at Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells on 19th September, continuing around the UK including a date at Brighton Komedia on 9th October, before heading to the USA in November. Last year, Rhys had their first UK tour with their show Rhys, Rhys, Rhys, and in October 2023, they released their debut book Dish: spiels, scoops, emotional outbursts and the occasional recipe. Alongside their comedy career, Rhys played Dr. Alex Sarkov in the Netflix sci-fi comedy series The Imperfects, has filmed for the upcoming series of Taskmaster Australia, and became a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under in 2021 with RuPaul and Michelle Visage, and will continue as a judge with Michelle in the new series of Drag Race Down Under. We caught up with Rhys, who answered our questions about their current tour Huge Big Party Congratulations!, being a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under and releasing their debut book Dish: spiels, scoops, emotional outbursts and the occasional recipe last year.
Can you tell us about your new show Huge Big Party Congratulations!, which you are currently touring around the UK?
Well, its title comes from the fact that last year when my husband and I sent out our wedding invites, my father in law replied in all caps, with no punctuation, “HUGE BIG PARTY CONGRATULATIONS”. It really made me laugh and I just kept saying it, so it felt right I called the tour that.
Who do you think Huge Big Party Congratulations! will appeal to and what can audiences expect from the show?
I try these days to kind of be for everyone, and I reckon there’s no shame in that. I mean, I don’t know, I’ve tried to cram about two hours worth of jokes into 90 minutes? I like jokes.
How was it seeing the audience response to the show at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, and do you have a favourite aspect of performing at the festival?
I’ve been going to that festival for a decade, which I think is technically some sort of Stockholm syndrome. It’s addictive. It’s never not wild to me that I have built a little audience over here that come back. They have really put up with some iffy shows over the years. Each tour I make these little enamel pins that are connected to the theme of the show somehow, and I love meeting people after the show that are wearing a few of the past ones. I’ve essentially started a small cult, and I’m ok with that.
How long have you been working on the show and when did the idea come about?
My husband Kyran directs my shows and the process usually starts in about February where I spend a couple of months writing and honing chunks, then he helps me piece together the hour. I’ve also got some money tied up in some pretty shady places and have been told if I don’t make money on this tour, they are going to break my arms and legs. So I suppose thats the origin of the tour.
You are taking Huge Big Party Congratulations! to Brighton Komedia on 9th October, and performed there in June 2023, what is it like performing in Brighton?
It’s so lovely there! It almost feels like a film set. Everyone is so nice and well put together. It’s inches away from being creepy, but they are getting away with it.
How did you find the experience touring the UK for the first time last year with your show Rhys, Rhys, Rhys?
You guys have something here that’s pretty exclusive to the UK, which is like, a trust? You’ll come out and give something a go, even if you aren’t sure what it is. It’s an almost misguided confidence in a performer and it’s truly endearing.
How different have you found working on Huge Big Party Congratulations! opposed to Rhys, Rhys, Rhys, and how do you prepare for touring internationally?
No difference really. When I’m writing a show these days I like to make sure it will work generally anywhere. After the UK I’m heading to the USA for a month to tour and we’ll see how it goes there. Maybe you should come see me in the UK because there’s every chance I’ll get shot in November. Consider this my tentative farewell tour.
You released your debut book Dish: Spiels, scoops, emotional outbursts and the occasional recipe in October last year, can you tell us about the book and what was it like to write?
No one tells you how hard it is to write a book. Even a silly book of essays and recipes. The book is a series of long-form essays about various topics and a few recipes chucked in there. I wanted it to feel like you were having dinner with me at my house, and I’m shouting things at you from the kitchen as I’m cooking.
What was it like becoming a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under in Series 1 in 2021 alongside RuPaul and Michelle Visage?
Truly bonkers. I was such a fan of the franchise and getting the job feels like some sort of long-form prank. Working with Michelle and Ru is a gift. They are two of the hardest working, professional, funny and just joyous people I have ever met. A couple of absolute hustlers who just want to make great TV. It’s wild.
What do you enjoy most about being part of Drag Race Down Under and how is it giving feedback to the contestants?
Drag is my favourite thing. It has been since my early teens. Getting to sit in that studio and watch these girls work is the highlight of my year.
How was it filming for the upcoming series of Taskmaster Australia?
No one warns you that everything is real on that show. Nothing is faked, or exaggerated. I lost my mind, in the best way, and now people are going to be able to see what a real psycho I actually am. Good luck everyone.
As an actor, you played Dr. Alex Sarkov in the Netflix sci-fi comedy series The Imperfects, was there anything that drew you to the role and what was Alex like to play?
Actor is a strong word. That’s essentially me, in a lab coat, being myself in front of a camera.
What are some of your favourite highlights of your career so far?
Getting to be on Conan in America was pretty amazing. I won Best Show at Melbourne Comedy Festival a couple of years ago. That was nice.
How did you get into comedy and was it something you always wanted to do professionally?
It is literally all I’ve ever wanted to do. I did my first open mics when I was 16, moved to Sydney when I was 18 and just a bunch of shitty day jobs until I could make comedy my job.
Do you have any favourite comedians/comedy shows to watch, and how do you like to spend your free time?
I love watching new shows but when I’m on tour I honestly tend to just lean into old comfort shows. I’ve watched 30 Rock about eight times all the way through. It’s a pretty perfect sitcom. Also a LOT of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. I’m troubled.
In my spare time, I cook. There is nothing I like more than a lazy Sunday, spending far too much time thinking about the piece of meat I have brining in the fridge.
Follow Rhys on:
Categories: Comedy, home, Interview, Reality & TV Personalities