‘May our gladioli bloom in celebration’: Barry Humphries farewelled
King Charles, Rupert Murdoch, Elton John and Andrew Lloyd-Webber led tributes at a state memorial at Sydney’s Opera House for the man who ‘invented a language’ for Australia and took it to the world.
It began with a pink carpet. For the state funeral and celebration of the life of Australian satirist Barry Humphries, the striking fuchsia pile carpeting the stairs leading into the Sydney Opera House was the perfect overture to the event honouring the drama, pageantry and frivolity of the country’s greatest theatrical exports.
Just eight months after the father of four died at the age of 89 in Sydney from complications from hip surgery, more than 2000 turned out on Friday to honour the showman who introduced Australian comedy to the world.
Samantha HutchinsonNational reporterSamantha Hutchinson is the AFR's National Reporter. Most recently, she was CBD columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Before that, she covered Victorian and NSW politics and business for The Australian, the AFR and BRW Magazine. Connect with Samantha on Twitter. Email Samantha at samantha.hutchinson@afr.com.au
