Barry Humphries will be remembered at the opening of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival on Wednesday night.
The legendary Australian comedian, most famous for portraying the iconic character Dame Edna, will be honoured with a special video package recognising his remarkable career.
The short package will screen at the Palais Theatre during the comedy festival’s Opening Night All Stars Supershow, the Herald Sun reported.
The video is not an official tribute, but is being described as a recognition of Humphries, who passed away in April last year.
The memorial package comes after the Melbourne International Comedy Festival stripped Humphries’ name from its most prestigious accolade, The Barry Award, in 2019.
Barry Humphries will be remembered at the opening night of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival
The popular festival previously distanced itself from Humphries over his view on transgenderism and sex reassignment surgeries in 2018.
The entertainer had described transgender surgeries as ‘self-mutilation’ and referred to transgender as ‘a fashion’.
Following his comments, Humphries’ name was removed from the award.
The renowned entertainer in 1987 helped establish the festival which has grown to be one of the world’s largest comedy events.
The legendary Australian comedian, most famous for portraying the iconic character Dame Edna, will be honoured with a special video package recognising his remarkable career
The Australian comedic legend died at Sydney’s Vincent Hospital last April at the age of 89.
Humphries had a long and debilitating battle with an inoperable cancer before his death.
For weeks, the comic had brushed aside concerns about the seriousness of his condition.
Humphries tripped on a rug while reaching for a book in February 2023 and underwent surgery at St Vincent’s where he was readmitted that week with family by his side.
The memorial package comes after the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2019 stripped his name from its most prestigious accolade, The Barry Award, after comments he made about transgender surgeries. Pictured: Humphries speaking at the MICF in 2016
’He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit,’ his family said in a statement.
Dame Edna Everage remains one of Humphries’ most identifiable inventions.
Humphries was also a successful musical theatre actor, talented landscape painter, film producer, author and scriptwriter.
A state memorial was held at Sydney Opera House in December last year following his tragic death.
Humphries died in April last year aged 89 during the final weekend of the month-long annual festival
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk