The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is working on a tribute to Barry Humphries

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival has stirred anger by saying it plans to honour the late Barry Humphries, after axing the Barry award.

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival has come under fire “as truly pathetic” after announcing it is working a tribute to honour Barry Humphries, despite axing an award in his honour.

Humphries was one of the founders of the festival, but in 2019 the festival stripped his name from its major award for best show following a furore over comments Humphries made about transgender being a “fashion” the year before.

Humphries, world famous for his characters Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, died in Sydney last Saturday, aged 89.

It was the final weekend for the festival, but he no tribute was made. However, on Monday night the festival tweeted work was being done on a tribute.

Barry Humphries announce nominees for the Barry Award for most outstanding show in 2016. Supplied

It posted a short statement on its website, they were saddened by the passing of the comic legend,

“He will be remembered by legions of fans around the world for his wit, inimitable characters and biting satire,” the post said.

On Monday, the festival tweeted it was working on a tribute to Humphries,

“The news of Barry Humphries’ passing in the last 24 hours of the ’23 Fest was momentous,” the tweet said.

“From today we re-group and start to plan a fitting tribute to his comic genius and leading role in creating a global platform for Australian comedy.”

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford described the announcement as “truly pathetic”.

“What a truly pathetic move. You people should be ashamed of yourselves.” Ford tweeted.

https://twitter.com/mrpford/status/1650442526422351873

Miriam Margolyes has been angered by Festival’s treatment of Barry Humphries.

Earlier, Miriam Margolyes lashed the festival for its treatment of Humphries, saying her fried had been ‘deeply hurt’ by their action five yeas ago.

“I don’t think he was properly appreciated by Australia. I don’t think he was properly treated, particularly by the Melbourne festival who cancelled him rather late in life,’ she told the ABC.

“He had more talent in his little finger than they did in their whole bodies all of them. I’m outraged by it.”

Comedian Sammy J, a board member involved in the vote to rename the award, wrote in The Age that the festival had to make a choice over Humphries’ comments that transgender people were performing acts of “self mutilation”, and transition journeys were “a fashion”.

“Faced with hurting the feelings of an established legend with a global platform or ignoring and excluding members of a vulnerable community, it chose the former,” he wrote.

“Arts festivals only exist if there are artists. And artists only take part in festivals they feel welcome at. Can you imagine being a trans comedian nominated for an award named after someone who’d wilfully torn down your sense of worth?”

Sammy J posted an individual tribute to Humphries on his Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CrWzdsgSujk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Originally published as The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is working on a tribute to Barry Humphries