Stars to feature in memorial for Barry Humphries and running order of service revealed
King Charles — who enjoyed the gags of Barry Humphries’ alter ego Dame Edna — will feature among global stars honouring the legendary Barry Humphries at a state memorial on Friday.
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King Charles will lead a megastar line up of musicians, comedians, film directors and theatre producers honouring the legendary Barry Humphries at a state memorial on Friday.
Sir Elton John, Little Britain co-creator David Walliams, British funnyman Rob Brydon, stage giants Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Cameron Mackintosh, and media mogul Rupert Murdoch will also pay tribute at the ceremony being held at the Sydney Opera House.
King Charles, who was often a willing participant in gags engineered by Humphries’ famous alter-ego Dame Edna Everage, has sent a message to the memorial service which will be read by the NSW Governor Margaret Beazley.
Humphries’ children Tessa, Oscar and Rupert will recite poetry at the service.
Australian film director Bruce Beresford, British chef Rick Stein, Australian PM Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns will also relay their tributes to Humphries, either in person and via video.
Humphries, an actor, poet, musician and artist, died following complications from hip surgery in April. He was 89.
Humphries was globally famous for his comedic characters Dame Edna and Sir Les Patterson.
After his Humphries’ passing, Sir Elton wrote: “Barry was the funniest man ever, and the sweetest man ever.”
Brydon added: “It was a delight to call him my friend. His talent shone until the very end.”
A decision by Humphries’ family to accept the offer a state memorial in Sydney over Melbourne sparked the usual two-city spat.
Some commentators said the family was still seething over a Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) ruling to remove Humphries’ name from its top prize, the Barry Award, after he made controversial comments about transgender people.
In 2018, Humphries told a magazine he believed transgender was “a fashion” and described gender reassignment surgery as “self mutilation.”
Two years later, he wrote in an email: “I’ve been banned by the Melbourne Comedy Festival which (the late British comedy legend) Peter Cook and I launched. I’ve been attacked and branded fascist and transphobic by the ‘they’ brigade and accused of racism by people who have never met an Aborigine.”
Humphries was born in Melbourne, in 1934, but Sydney became his Australian home.
His son, Oscar, denied claims the family had snubbed Melbourne.
“The two offers of a state memorial were a wonderful honour for my father and received with much gratitude,” Oscar told The Australian in May.
“It is such an honour and a touching recognition of his contribution to Australian culture and what he meant to so many people.”
The MICF was criticised over its lack of an official tribute to Humphries at the 2023 event
“We acknowledge that he deserves an appropriate tribute, we will now take time to consider what that might be,” the festival said in a statement in April.
“We are reflecting on his incredible contribution to our comedy scene and discussing how the festival can honour him and pay tribute to his legacy.”
Eight months on, the MICF is yet to announce or specify its tribute plan.
In a statement, the festival said this week: “Barry was a tremendous performer. At this time, he should be celebrated and remembered for the joy he brought many people.”
ORDER OF SERVICE
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor, by Johann Sebastian Bach, performed by Richard Tognetti AO, Artistic Director, Australian Chamber Orchestra and Satu Vänskä, Principal
Violin, Australian Chamber Orchestra with members of the Australian Chamber Orchestra
WELCOME
Acknowledgment of Country, and opening comments from master of ceremonies, Richard Wilkins
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM
Peter Coleman-Wright AO accompanied by Bradley Gilchrist with members of the Australian Chamber Orchestra
MESSAGE
Message from His Majesty King Charles III, read by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales
VIDEO TRIBUTE
Australian PM Anthony Albanese
TRIBUTE
Bruce Beresford
VIDEO TRIBUTE
David Walliams
VIDEO TRIBUTE
Sir Elton John
POEM
Recited by Tessa Humphries (daughter)
FAMILY TRIBUTE
Oscar and Rupert Humphries (sons)
VIDEO TRIBUTE
Rob Brydon
VIDEO TRIBUTE
Rick Stein
TRIBUTE
Philip Bacon
POEM
NSW Premier Chris Minns
VIDEO TRIBUTE
Rupert Murdoch
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
An den Kleinen Radioapparat by Hanns Eisler, Youkali by Kurt Weill, Wenn die beste Freundin by Mischa Spoliansky and Marcellus Schiffer; performed by Richard Tognetti, Satu Vänskä, Meow Meow, and Andrew Ross with members of the Australian Chamber Orchestra
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
A Clare Benediction and The Lord Bless and Keep You by John Rutter, Cheryl Barker and Peter Coleman-Wright, accompanied by Bradley Gilchrist
VIDEO TRIBUTE
Andrew Lloyd Webber
VIDEO TRIBUTE
Sir Cameron Mackintosh
TRIBUTE
Life on the Road With Barry, by Andrew Ross and Karl Schmid
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Song of Australia, by Barry Humphries and Carl Davies, performed by Dame Edna Everage
CLOSING SLIDE
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