Rhys Darby
Published: Friday 23rd May 2025
It was the first of times, it was the worst of times.
This time we welcome an international treasure, star of two of the finest sitcoms ever, a few decades apart - Flight Of The Conchords and Our Flag Means Death - plus the movies Hunt For The Wilderpeople, Jumanji, What We Do In The Shadows, Jumanji: The Next Level, The Boat That Rocked, Last Tango In Jumanji (one of these may be made up), not to mention a host of highly-praised stand-up shows, and subsequent specials.
It's Rhys Darby, who's touring the UK with The Legend Returns - many a true word. The last time we spoke to Rhys was around his show Mystic Time Bird, which wasn't afraid to wade into heavier waters. Is this one lighter, darker, similar...?
"G'day! I'd say the tone isn't too different. I'm still being very silly on stage and playing off myself with quick characters and movement. This one goes quite meta, and by that I mean I punch up at the tech billionaires a bit."
We'll be interested to see which platform this show eventually winds up on then, if filmed. But now: the past!
First gig?
My first official set in front of an audience would've been back in 1995. The only Kiwi stand-ups at the time were Mike King and Andrew Clay, they were on a national tour. When they hit Christchurch they advertised in the paper an open mic night, which offered the chance for any local funny types to get up and have a go.
It was the start of New Zealand live comedy and to create a scene clearly numbers were needed. I stepped up and did some Frank Spencer impressions and a routine about how boring fishing is. I got a few laughs. This was my beginning.
Favourite show, ever?
That's a difficult one because I've hit so many milestones over the years. First ever gig in a planetarium, first ever gig on a 747 jumbo jet, performing at a radar station in the mountains of the Falklands, the list goes on.
My favourite was probably recording my first DVD at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles. It felt like I'd hit the big-time. That DVD went on to achieve platinum sales in New Zealand. Every bach (holiday home) in New Zealand has a copy. I did big national tours on the back of that.
Worst gig?
The 747 gig will always go down as the most hilariously bad gig. I do a whole story about how badly it went, because it happened not too long after the September 11th terrorist attacks. I have had worse gigs though, which I didn't get good stories from.
The truly worst gigs are the small rural ones organised by your peers, like in a workingmen's club and the owner refuses to turn the sports off the telly. No one's paid to see you and the microphone is broken. We've all done those ones.
Which one person influenced your comedy life most significantly?
There isn't one single person. I was just obsessed with all the BBC sitcoms of the 70's and 80s and Monty Python. I always thought I'd end up in a sketch troupe. I guess in a way I've become a one-man sketch troupe! Rowan Atkinson and Jim Carrey of course also get a special mention.
And who's the most disagreeable person you've come across in the business?
I've found no one disagreeable to my hopes and dreams, not really, not without good reason. I choose to see the goodness in all people. Kama is real you know, so when you put out goodness to the universe...
Is there one routine/gag you loved, that audiences inexplicably didn't?
I drop stuff pretty quickly if it doesn't work. No use beating a dead horse, which incidentally was one of my early bits.
Any reviews, heckles or post-gig reactions stick in the mind?
"Rhys Darby is amazing" - NZ Herald. "Rhys Darby was simply stunning" - Dominion Post. "Tell us a joke!" - some drunk numbskull in a rowdy pub in Nottingham.
How do you feel about where your career is at, right now (was global-legend status always the plan)?
Yes, I'm pretty happy with where I am. I have an audience. I know what I'm capable of and I try to push myself to new levels on most performances. Comedy is quite subjective and I've been around long enough now for people to know if what I do is for them.
I keep my acting and stand-up careers quite separate, different blades of the same sword. That sword is known as Darby's Dagger of Destiny.
Rhys Darby: The Legend Returns is touring the UK and Ireland from 30th May. Tickets
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