Flight of the Conchords star Rhys Darby: 'My biggest failure? I'm yet to fail'

You’ll know Kiwi comic Rhys Darby as Flight of the Conchords’ band manager. He’s also appeared in Yes Man, The Boat That Rocked, What We Did in the Shadows and Our Flag Means Death. He has never failed at anything.

He is currently preparing a new stand-up tour, The Legend Returns. But before that, Rhys Darby has some Big Questions to answer….

What was the defining event of your youth? 

I won top cadet in the City of Auckland Cadet Unit when I was 16. I went into the regular force the next year when I was 17. It defined a lot of things for me: self-discipline, drive, looking after yourself and just being a capable human.

What music was the biggest for you?  

I was never really a big music guy. I was too busy making Airfix models and pretending I was a soldier. I did listen to the Monty Python albums. I know Bruces’ Philosopher’s Song off by heart. I used to recite it in the army and people would tell me off. 

What’s your current big issue? 

The artificial intelligence phenomenon is moving so fast we can’t keep up with it. Humanity is getting left behind from itself.

What were the big influences in you becoming a performer?

Growing up I was obsessed with British comedy. Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, It Ain’t Half Hot Mum and Dad’s Army – that probably influenced me going into the military as well.

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What was the big political issue from your youth?  

The sinking of the Rainbow Warrior, which was our Greenpeace ship. France sent in some spies and they blew it up. They got captured, we put them in prison for a bit in New Zealand, and then they got extradited back to France and were made heroes. It was a huge deal in New Zealand because it was an act of terrorism on our country – by our allies.

Your biggest success and failure? 

It’s hard not to see my work on Flight of the Conchords as my biggest success. That opened the door for future work. Failure? Yet to fail.

Big book? 

Lost in the Funhouse, the story about Andy Kaufman, how he created guerrilla theatre and would do very avant-garde comedy. 

Was the New Zealand film industry big at the time?

Peter Jackson’s films were big. Bad Taste, Braindead. He was so innovative, but with a really dark, dry sense of humour that Kiwis have.

Rhys Darby’s show The Legend Returns is touring the UK and Ireland from 31 May.  rhysdarby.com

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