Rhys Nicholson: I'm Fine

Quick-witted and self-deprecating from a prude that's rude
Rhys Nicholson opens his show with a promise of using the hour to discuss his dick and how it relates to everything. And somewhat unsurprisingly, he does just that, flitting between tales of his high-school years when he was a self-proclaimed slut to his current status as a happily engaged gay man in a monogamous relationship.
In between, we get insights into his mental health and past struggles with bulimia, but with a self-deprecating and quick-witted one-liner always ready to bring the show back to its sarcastic core.
Nicholson has the kind of sassy deadpan delivery that makes every joke land with an amusingly sardonic tone, whether he's making fun of his social anxiety or comparing his white privilege to a Blockbuster voucher (great to have but totally useless). In his examination of fetishes and sex toys, he reveals that despite his past sexual misadventures (including a particularly cringe-worthy experience on a tennis court), he's a bit more of a prude than even he expected.
In its many sexually explicit yet awkward anecdotes, I'm Fine features a point of view that is perhaps atypical in the world of LGBTQ+ comedy. His approach is certainly refreshing, with hints of dark humour added into his gloriously eccentric digressions. Ultimately though, the recognisable trope of the 'bitchy gay comic' is turned on its head here, with Nicholson providing a well-crafted show that's full of intelligent observations about anxiety, sex and the relationship between the two.
Underbelly Med Quad, until 28 Aug (not 27), 9.15pm, £11–£12 (£10–£11).