Barry Humphries’ state memorial service at Australia’s Sydney Opera House on Friday included a sweet tribute from King Charles, who said “life won’t be the same” without the performer. The late stage and screen veteran died on April 22 aged 89 following complications following hip surgery.
Australian TV presenter Richard Wilkins hosted service opening proceedings by thanking the late star’s family for their attendance in honour of their “husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and auntie”, in reference to his most well-known character, Dame Edna Everage. After the Australian national anthem, Tony Burke, the country’s minister for the arts, took to the stage to read out a message from the monarch.
The message said: “I suspect that all those who appeared on stage or TV with Barry’s Dame Edna, or who found her appearing at the back of the royal box will have shared that unique sensation where fear and fun combine.Those who tried to stand on their dignity soon lost their footing. Those who wondered whether Australia’s housewife superstar might this time just go too far, were always proved right. No-one was safe.
“Barry Humphries, through his creations, poked and prodded us, exposed pretensions, punctured pomposity, surfaced insecurities, but most of all, (helped us) laugh at ourselves.” The King went on to say: “This cultured and erudite man, with his love of literature and the visual arts and passion for Weimar cabaret, could not have been more different from his various stage incarnations.”
He went on to say he was “deeply saddened, like so many” by Barry’s death, adding: “Life really won’t be the same without him. May our gladioli bloom in celebration of his memory.”
More to follow…
