Rhiannon McCall is a Billy T Award nominee this year and has been a rising star in the Auckland comedy scene for the last couple of years, including as a wickedly talented improvisor with the now laid to rest, Snort. Her previous NZ International Comedy Fest offerings have been amusing and well worth a watch, but this year’s show, Toxic Shock Bimbo, blows me out of the water.

Rhiannon’s energy on the stage is absolutely infectious; from the get-go, she’s bringing everything she’s got. At the top of the show, we’re introduced to veteran comedian and New Yorker Glossy Monroe, one of a handful of characters Rhiannon plays with commitment, gusto and charm. Over the hour, we are treated to a bit of a tasting platter of what Rhiannon has to offer, and oh boy, it’s tasty.  

The central premise of the show is that Rhiannon desperately wants us to like her and will do everything she can to get there, often tested with her Temu acquired ‘likeability meter’. Spoiler alert: it’s impossible not to like Rhiannon. Every second she’s on-stage she oozes charm. At one stage, I reach that fever pitch of laughter where no sound comes out and tears are flowing from my eyes.

Some of Rhiannon’s more senior comic colleagues could learn a thing or two off her about how to interact with their audiences, genuinely and masterfully. We feel safe in the hands of the expert, but also brave to speak up and join in on the joke. Rhiannon is so at-ease on the stage; I could have happily been entertained by her for another two hours. 

For me, what stands out most is the commitment. Rhiannon puts her whole self into the show, without a sense of being ‘too cool’ to be there. It’s a breath of fresh air in the sometimes formulaic and stagnant Comedy Fest line-up to see a truly unique, energised and bold offering.

My companion for the night has a rather demanding job and comments ,as we were driving home, “I was really tired after work today but now I’ve got so much energy from Rhiannon’s show I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep.” We continue to discuss the show well into the evening and the next day, reminiscing on our favourite moments and cracking up all over again.

To anyone considering seeing this show; get your tickets now, and go. To the Billy T judges; crown the Bimbo.

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