Barry Humphries in first appearance since Melbourne Comedy Festival award furore

Barry Humphries has made his first stage appearance since his name was stripped from a Melbourne Comedy Festival award over his comments on transgender people — and the veteran entertainer didn’t disappoint his fans.

Barry Humphries made jokes about same-sex marriage and female genitalia in his first appearance since his name was stripped from an award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

The 85-year-old stepped out at the London Palladium overnight, during a question and answer evening with British comedian Rob Brydon.

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Humphries did not back down from his comedy style last night, saying: “Comedians aren’t always terribly nice.

“We don’t have to be nice, do we. We’re not obliged to be nice, we’re generally pretty unsavoury.”

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival changed the name of its award for best show this year, after previously naming it the Barry Award in honour of Humphries.

Barry Humphries has broken his silence. Picture: David Caird

Festival organisers said in March that Humphries’ comments about transgender people, including calling Caitlyn Jenner a “publicity seeking rat-bag” were behind the decision.

Best known worldwide for his popular drag character Dame Edna Everage, Humphries in 2016 described gender reassignment surgery as “self-mutilation”.

At the time, he also criticised Caitlyn Jenner as a “publicity-seeking ratbag for wanting to “steal the limelight” from the other famous women in her family.

And last July, the Spectator quoted him referring to transgenderism as “a fashion — how many different kinds of lavatory can you have? And it’s pretty evil when it’s preached to children by crazy teachers.”

But the veteran comedian stuck to his standard script last night, as he recalled advice he got from a former director, when he was complaining about having to wear tights on stage as an actor.

Rob Brydon (L) and Barry Humphries. Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images

“He said, your legs are good, according to my wife, and it was the old days — his wife was a woman,” Humphries joked.

The line received a laugh from the audience.

But Brydon warned Humphries his comments might end up on social media.

“You don’t need another controversy, we’re in a circle of trust. If you do report it, it’s Mr Humphries said,” Brydon said.

When asked if he would come back for a full stage show in London despite previously announcing his retirement, Humphries replied: “Yes, I like doing it. I think around about Easter time next year.”

Humphries said he “had his detractors” including his mother, whom he based his character Dame Edna Everage on.

Dame Edna Everage is Barry Humphries’ best-known character.

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He also recalled how he had shocked an audience of an upper-class charity crowd with a joke about female genitalia.

Humphries also made a joke about how he would put Vaseline on his hands before he greeted interviewers on television, including Sir Michael Parkinson, to get awkward reactions.

Outside the theatre after the show, audience members backed Humphries’ comedy.

They said they were surprised there were not protests outside the show, but added that people were too politically correct.

“I think transgender people deserve to have the fun taken out of them because they take themselves too seriously,” Janice Beattie, 59, of London, said in Argyll St, shortly after the show.

John Gold, 68, of Cheshire added: “I think he’s always been slightly cutting-edge. I don’t think it would be bothering him.”