With retirement beckoning, legendary Australian comedian Dame Edna Everage talks to Gareth Ludkin about Cardiff, her career and what we can expect from her final ever show.
You’re touring the UK with your final ever show Eat, Pray, Laugh. It’s quite an interesting title, how did that come about?
Well, it’s a show about my spiritual journey. My career has lasted over 60 years, and I can’t believe it. And I’ve had a journey, and to my surprise it’s been an inspiration to other people, and I wanted to say goodbye while I’m still doing the best show of my career. This is my farewell show, and it really is wonderful.
How do you think your shows have changed over your career?
Well, I think my show has matured, it has broadened and it has deepened. I always thought to myself that if performing ceases to be fun then I won’t do it. And the shows are still fun, but the touring isn’t. It’s wearying for me, but I’ve still got so much else to occupy my time. I’ve got books to write, charities to support, and a dysfunctional family to worry about.
So this is by no means the end?
It’s not the end of my appearances; I’ll still be appearing on television. But it is the end of a very major chapter in my career.
Are you looking forward to playing Cardiff?
I’ve been here before in the 70’s to shoot a movie, and I did a charity show here about 25 years ago. So when I looked at this list of cities I was playing this time, I felt that Cardiff had to see me. I told my manager, “I’m going to on strike if I don’t go there,” and so here I am.
What can people expect from this show? More of the same, or something a little bit different?
It will be very different. They will see me at my best. Unfortunately, thanks to my manager Barry Humphries, they will also see Australia’s disgraceful diplomat, Sir Les Patterson. He is a disappointment to most Australians, yet audiences seem to love his bawdy sense of humour. But the show is Edna-driven, and we do something which is very unusual and unique in the theatre. It’s a money-back guarantee that if you don’t laugh every thirty seconds. Every thirty seconds will be a laugh which will be almost dangerous, and if that doesn’t happen you can approach the Box Office for your money back. I’m not saying the Box Office will be open, but you can approach it.
Have you found audiences differ around the world?
Oddly enough people think they vary but they don’t really. I’m psychic, so I was talking to Sir Harry Secombe this morning, and he’s thrilled about this tour, so we’re putting this on the poster; “Dame Edna’s best show ever,” according to the late Sir Harry Secombe.
You’ve been performing for 60 years now, what do you put this longevity down to?
I would put it down to an interesting life. This show is really just me thinking aloud and observing the world as I know it, and I’m inviting the public to share in my life. It’s a big privilege for them and I hope they will survive the exercise. We do need to laugh more than anything else in life at the moment. It’s healthy; it’s exercise for the spirit.
Do you want to leave with a big hurrah or do you want to be more modest?
I’ve never thought modesty was an admirable characteristic. I always thought, if you’ve got it, flaunt it. I wouldn’t call myself outlandish; I’d say I was otherworldly. Almost intergalactic!