Comedy ace Rhys Darby to launch comeback tour with Nottingham Playhouse gig

He will also be appearing at Sheffield’s Memorial Hall on June 18 in one of the tour dates.

After almost a decade away, Darby is back on a tour with his classic mix of astute observations and physical stand-up, cocooned in a fantastical storyline that takes his audience members on a hilarious journey.

In a world full of AI and robot tech, can a simple dad with slightly tight jeans stay relevant? Rhys hopes to prove that right now a touch of very human silliness is more important than ever. Perhaps his unique skills, once thought of as absurd, might just be useful after all!

Rhys Darby said: “I’m so excited to return to the stage, a bit older, a bit wiser but mostly a bit sillier than ever before!”

While Darby may have been treading the stand-up boards since the mid-90s and is recognised as one of NZ’s most successful comedy exports, he is best known internationally for his on screen work.

He first gained attention as the well-meaning, but inept band manager, Murray Hewitt in Flight of the Conchords.

More recently, he has starred in the Jumanji franchise and Our Flag Means Death, alongside long-time collaborator Taika Waititi.

Rhys is also a prolific voiceover artist, having appeared in more than 50 animation roles from Monsters at Work to Voltron Legendary Defender. When not on-screen, other projects include hosting New Zealand’s longest running podcast The Cryptid Factor and shares his funny musings on his Substack.

He has performed his unique style of storytelling all over the world and Rhys is never far from his stand-up roots, having released five comedy specials.

In addition to stand-up and acting, he has also written four books, This Way To Spaceship, a loosely autobiographical novel, and three kids’ books about his alter ego Buttons McGinty.

For information on tickets, please visit www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk for more.