Back for another brew ha-ha

COMEDIAN

Rhys Nicholson has plenty of fond — if perhaps a little hazy — memories of Tasmania, and he is bringing his biting brand of comedy back to the state tonight.

Nicholson is performing at Hobart Brewing Co tonight, before heading up to do a gig in Launceston tomorrow, and he is happy to be back in Tassie.

“To be honest, most [of my fond memories of Tasmania] probably include drinking with local comedians, but no, there’s a really good scene down there,” Nicholson told Pulse.

“There’s just a really healthy, great collection of comedians coming up, I think, which is really great.”

Since winning Best Newcomer at the 2012 Sydney Comedy Festival, Nicholson has gone on to perform all over the world.

Along with winning plenty of plaudits for his solo shows, Nicholson has been a regular face on Australian TV, appearing on the likes of The Project, Hughesy, We Have A Problem, and Talkin’ ’Bout Your Generation.

Nicholson said he was excited to share new comedy material to Tasmanians.

“I like to go somewhere and hang out there for a couple of hours before and try to think of some things to talk about, like I’ll read the local newspaper and see what’s going on and find something to talk about,” he said.

“I am looking forward to doing a whole bunch of new material, because it’s that time of year when our new shows are coming up — we’re doing new tours.

“I’m looking forward to saying my new jokes, as opposed to the ones that I’ve been saying for two years.”

Nicholson's Hobart performance tonight comes after he supported US television host and comedian Conan O’Brien in Sydney last night.

Speaking ahead of the gig, Nicholson said he went to the recording of one of O’Brien’s episodes in Los Angeles this month and got the chance to meet him.

“I’m not like a starstruck kind of person, unless it’s someone that I really like, and I’m obsessed with Conan O’Brien,” he said.

“It was such a weird thing to walk into a dressing room and he’s standing there — the most famous person I will ever meet in my life.”

The Clubhouse presents Rhys Nicholson at Hobart Brewing Co from 8pm tonight. He will be joined by Canadian Amy Cunningham and host Tim Logan. Nicholson is then performing at Boag’s Brewery Bar in Launceston from 8pm tomorrow. Tickets for both shows are $25 (plus booking fee), available from trybooking.com

— SHAUN McMANUS