Tim Minchin explains why he went ahead with Sydney show after personal tragedy

Tim Minchin made headlines this month with a tragic personal revelation during a Sydney show. Now, he’s explained why he did it.

Tim Minchin has opened up about the sad personal revelation he made on stage in Sydney recently.

Performing An Unfunny Evening with Tim Minchin and his Piano at the State Theatre in front of 2000 people on November 10, Minchin waited until the end of the show to announce that his mum had sadly passed away the day prior, after a three-year battle with cancer.

The confession left the audience stunned, and many were moved to tears as Minchin asked for help to sing the final song of the night, Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah.

Audience members took to social media after the show, with comments including, “It felt like the audience held you in their arms during the final song, not a dry eye in the house”, and “Singing Hallelujah with 2000 other people … was by far the closest thing to a religious experience that I will ever have”.

Minchin shared this photo of his mum on Instagram.

The premiere of The Artful Dodger. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Minchin spoke to news.com.au about the emotional performance on the red carpet at the premiere of the new Disney+ show, The Artful Dodger, on Wednesday night (more on that later).

“I sort of didn’t know what else to do,” he said about his decision to go ahead with the performance despite the sad loss. “I mean, that’s my job.

“I also really care that when I play gigs that people have an experience that feels honest, and it was the day after my mum died, so I thought I’d be honest about it.

“Not because I wanted to manipulate them or get pity, but because everyone goes through those experiences, and that’s our job as artists to go, ‘I’ve experienced this and this is how I unpack it and maybe you’ll get something out of me talking about it and playing songs.”

Minchin said he was proud of the show he put on that night in Sydney, but added: “I must admit, I can barely remember that night because I was just in this slightly otherworldly headspace”.

Minchin’s Unfunny Evening tour continues around the country until March before heading to New Zealand.

One of the many glowing reviews of Tim's performance in Sydney.

The Artful Dodger

Apart from his tour, Minchin can also be seen in The Artful Dodger which has just started streaming on Disney+.

The eight-episode series is a sequel of sorts to Oliver, and has been a hit with viewers so far, earning a 100 per cent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

So what’s it about?

Set in 1850s Australia in the lively colony of Port Victory, Jack Dawkins, aka the Artful Dodger, is now a surgeon who still has a penchant for crime.

When Dodger’s past returns to haunt him with the arrival of Fagin, he is lured back into a world of crime.

The show stars Love Actually’s Thomas Brodie-Sangster as the Artful Dodger and Harry Potter star, David Thewlis, as Fagin.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster and David Thewlis in The Artful Dodger.

Speaking to news.com.au, Minchin raved about his famous co-stars, in particular David Thewlis.

“When you work with an actor of his pedigree and his talent and his history, you kind of wonder whether they’re going to be nice, and he is like THE BEST guy,” he said.

“He’s become a really good friend … and he’s a brilliant actor, so working with him makes you better.

“I just think he’s the greatest.”

The Artful Dodger is available to stream on Disney+