Words: Claire Smith
Image: Monica Pronk

Your show is called ‘Huge Big Party Congratulations’ – that sounds fun…
I got married to my partner Kyran last year and my father-in-law sent a message saying
‘Huge Big Party Congratulations’. It made me laugh and I kept saying it to people – and I
decided to use it as a title for this show.

Do you talk about your marriage in the show?
Well it’s a stand up show – it’s not Baby Reindeer. But there is a bit about how people keep
asking if we are going to have kids. People are obsessed – but we don’t know if we are
going to have kids or not – we’re not really sure.

It’s 20 years since you first came to Edinburgh – have you changed a lot since then?
I think I am a lot less angry and I am a lot more comfortable with myself. I’m more myself on
stage than I was before.

You look amazing on stage – sharp suit, stylish hair – how would you describe your look?
I want people to know that I care and that I have put a lot of effort into this. I wear a 60s
style suit and a full face of make up. I spend about an hour getting ready. I like being the
most dressed up person in the room. In Melbourne this year I had to go back to the venue to pick something up and a person I see every day on the door said: ‘Excuse me sir’. He didn’t recognise me – it’s like a disguise in reverse.

How has being a judge on Drag Race Australia changed things?
I do get recognised – especially in the UK. Sometimes people who know me from Drag Race
think that is all I do – so they say ‘I didn’t know you did stand up as well.’

Rhys Nicholson: Huge Big Party Congratulations!
Underbelly, Bristo Square – Ermintrude
20:25
Jul 31, Aug 1-25