An evening with Barry Humphries

Last night I was invited as a guest to see, hear and meet Barry Humphries, creator and alter ego of Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson. It was a very good opportunity to listen first hand to an otherwise relatively unassuming man, who thrilled the audience with his recollections and with his interpretation of his characters and shared insights into his life. He appeared almost a little awkward as he walked to the speaking podium, as though he didn't know what he would say exactly, but what a great talent he is that in that moment he plugged into his audience and had us quiet with a stroll down the lanes of our collective memories, and had us laughing right out loud with the musings of his life.



He was launching his book in the wonderfully Art decco style theatre in Cremorne, the Hayden Orpheum which still has the old wurlitzer organ that retreats into the floor.


What a wonderful experience to watch and to sit in the ambience of this beautiful theatre. The historic Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace is a six cinema complex located in Cremorne on Sydney's lower North Shore. The Orpheum opened in October, 1935 with seating for 1,700 people on two levels and offered a standard of comfort which was second-to-none, a tradition which continues to this day.

Mr Humphries or should I say "Captain Humphries" (- a title he mused that he would like to have earned one day after a stint in the Army during his National Service many years previous), indicated that he had not actually done an honest days work in his life! Though I think we all agreed that he certainly has worked incredibly hard. He shared how he sort of "fell" into Edna somewhat as a satire of the provincial people, whom he loves, and as a sketch it became so very popular and allowed him or her to comment on everything and certainly has become a vehicle that has propelled both Moonee Ponds and him to international stardom. Barry is certainly very creative and could by his own reckoning could have become anything he wanted so to be.

Whether it be from giving Michelle Obama some beauty tips or Barbara Bush some clothing advice this wonderful man has certainly taken some characters and created a persona that has reached to every part of the world. This man who had as his first job smashing 78rpm records for EMI and now is known all over the world.


I am very grateful to have heard this man share his life and humorous insights, and very honoured to have met him also. I have an autographed copy of his latest book Handling Edna and look forward to a humorous read and commend the book and watching the man if ever an opportunity arises for you.

(The picture of the orpheum from the street is from their website as is the art decco title. The book front cover image is copyrighted by Hachette Australia and is used here to promote the purchase of and subsequent read of the book only.) Enjoy!