In 2020, George Rigden was roundly (and rightly) cancelled, and his life fell apart. In 2025, he was finally diagnosed with autism, finally sobered up – and began to put his life back together.
Now, more than half a decade on from his life falling apart, he’s finally stable (and sober) enough to talk about it.
How would you describe your show to someone who knows very little about it?
A surprisingly hilarious, honest, musical & interactive insight into the realities of surviving being cancelled – and (hopefully) inspiring to anyone struggling with a self-destructive streak to find redemption. Or maybe that’s all a bit off-putting? I sure know it’s the type of show I’d like to see but then again – I wrote it.
What makes it stand out and why should people see it?
Because it’s raw, honest and topical – like all the best things. Except maybe sports.
How long was the process from idea to writing to stage? Any challenges along the way?
Oh, man – I mean, I go into this in detail during the show (tantalising, eh?) but it’s comfortably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do as a professional comedian, possibly as a person in general. I first previewed it early last year in Switzerland – but at that point, it was just an embittered rant that ran too long and didn’t even have any songs. The biggest challenge was finding the funny in my own tragedy.
What attracts you to comedy?
Genuinely – the way it connects me to other people, in a way I struggle to in my normal life. An audience properly roaring at my obnoxious nonsense is the closest thing I’ve experienced to unconditional love. Except that time a guy in Torquay tried to glass me for calling him a c-word.
How would you describe your relationship with the audience and what do you love the most about live performance?
The audience is there to be played with, and it boggles my mind that more comedians don’t do that and instead just monologue about themselves. People love being roasted, but I love it even more – there’s nothing more exhilarating.
Who would you say have been your biggest inspirations?
Comedically, I’ve never really been much of a fan of standup – my biggest inspirations in that realm come from the screen. Formatively, that would’ve definitely been Monty Python but as I grew up I was obsessed with Peep Show, The (original and far superior) Office and arrested development. I can still recite entire episodes from memory, but that’s probably more because of the autism.
Outside of comedy, in my actual life? Probably my mum – the very definition of a survivor.
What are three things that would surprise people to learn about you?
I’ve never seen any of the Lord of the rings films, I lost my virginity in my mid-twenties – and I was once childhood friends with Uri Geller (my childhood, not his. I did a show about that and all.)
What do you love to most about performing at MICF?
This is actually my first time, but I’ve wanted to perform at MICF ever since I learned of its existence more than a decade ago. It’s just taken me this long to make it happen – and I honestly can’t wait. I am also very nervous but then that’s normal, innit?
What comes after the MICF for you?
A few tour dates of the show around Australia and New Zealand, then hopefully breaking into the film/TV acting scene out here. All the best films and shows I’ve seen so far this decade have been produced out here (late night with the devil, talk to me, Colin from accounts, mr in-between) – I want me a slice of that action, please.
An interactive musical comedy show about attempted redemption, coming to understand yourself and self-improvement, while also staying true to yourself.
A hilarious, heart-wrenching musical romp through the life of someone who’s been to hell and back through their own self-destructible tendencies, and lived to tell the tale. (It’s funnier than it sounds. A lot funnier.)
Playing till April 17
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/george-rigden-self-inflicted/
