Special Event: Rhys Darby

Darby first captured US audiences as Murray, the loveable, but ultimately inept manager in HBO’s Flight of the Conchords. He has gone on to star in a plethora of TV and film roles, from Yes Man and Pirate Radio (The Boat that Rocked) to Nigel in the Jumanji reboots. On the small screen he has brought his talents to animations like Voltron Legendary Defender and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and shows like TBS’ Wrecked, The X Files and Lemony Snicket. Most recently he starred as the gentleman pirate, Stede Bonnet in Our Flag Means Death with longtime collaborator Taika Waititi. Darby has also starred in films like What we do in the Shadows, Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Next Goal Wins, all directed by Waititi. Darby is never far from his stand-up roots. His stand-up has been described as a sensational blend of sound effects, characterizations and askew observations. Rhys has five stand-up specials’, Imagine That! (2008), It’s Rhys Darby Night! (2011) and This Way to Spaceship, (2012) and I’m a Fighter Jet (2017) and Mystic Time Bird (2021). This Way to Spaceship was based on his debut novel of the same name, “A loosely autobiographical end of world companion” in 2012. It was number 1 in the international charts for 7 weeks. Darby’s second book, this time for kids, was released in Australia and New Zealand in October 2018. It is called The Top Secret Undercover Notes of Buttons McGinty. Darby wrote it for his then 8 year old son, a reluctant reader, and has been thrilled to hear from kids and parents that they love it! He went on to release another two Butt