Nick Helm: There Is Nothing You Can Do To Me That I Have Not Already Done To Myself

A Nick Helm show fosters the impression of a seige mentality for both audience and performer – strap in, this will leave you rictus with laughter, a certain amount of shock, and the impression that this is an experience that can never be replicated. When else would a show start with a bonding singalong about suicide?

Helm has always had the stage persona of a man in the middle of a depressive breakdown, offering the juxtaposition of sweet and loving sensitivity with a loud self-pity that squarely places him as the butt of every joke. It’s a dizzying contrast, and one he skillfully perpetuates, incorporating the small screen successes he has had in recent years and turning them on their heads to beautifully frame his empty rage.

One particlar story was so brutal – yet gleefully sweet and meticulously knife-edge sharp – that it took the ensemble right to the brink, mixing hysterical laughter with physical nausea at its contents. A caring afterthought from Helm then that at its conclusion he got us to check on the the person sitting next to us, given that the tour has already had two audience memebers pass out at that particular point.

Songs peppered the night, consolidating comradery in our basement extreme comedy bunker, incorporating bleakly tickling singalongs and banding all together. Helm ended on a high, with a soaring encore of an ‘Uncle’- and fan- favourite song. The man is brutal, but by AC/DC he’s talented with it.

Komedia, 19 October 2017
Rating:
Victoria Nangle