I must have been 14 or 15 when I first saw Barry Humphries portray Mrs Edna Everage of 19 (I think) Humoresque St, Moonee Ponds. It was just prior to the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games and she was offering accommodation for overseas athletes or visitors.
Whilst much of her act is lost in my ageing mind I still remember how accurately she portrayed the mores, fears and views of middle Australians of the time. For me, a school boy from a middle class family, it was an eye opener. I was “hooked on Humphries” and have feasted on his talents ever since.
A loss of a great talent. Like so many others, I will miss him immensely.
Felicity, my miracle worker, shared this excellent view: “I saw him live many times, laughed myself silly. Although Sandy Stone was quite capable of causing tears. It actually saddens me to think there’s no way he could do that act nowadays.”
The Age produced an excellent photo feature celebrating his life and I have taken the liberty to share it here.
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