The
Man Behind The Mask
At the Churchill Theare, Bromley
The stage is set beautifully and with elegance. There is a piano, a handsome red velvet armchair. The back drop is a screen with a sketch of BH and his signature.
It is a full hose, the audience is eagerly waiting the appearance of the 88 year old variety star.
There is an announcement over the air waves, “The man behind the mask” Oh here we go.
Barry Humphries enters stage left. He wears a red velvet tuxedo and is looking sprauncy.
An immediate wave of love comes oer the footlights from the enthralled audience. All Barry news to do is just stand there but he started to chat to the people of Bromley . They are delighted when he mentions Croydon in a condescending manner. He knows how to win the affection of an audience.
He speaks in a gentle, but perfectly audible Australian Audience, telling stories of his childhood in Melbourne and his earlier theatrical experiences before he set sail for The Old Country and went into rep with all the Pommy actors..
Sadly, when I say audible, it is not his fault when screams of loud laughter come from elements of the audience. Either because they are trying to prove they understand what he is saying, or that they’ve seen it before and are kindly letting us know that a laugh is coming.
I suspect quite a lot of the people don’t know who he is, I found when mentioning the show that people were puzzled until I mentioned Dame Edna Everidge.
He doesn’t seem phased by the misplaced laughter, but then maybe he can’t hear it.
He tells some stories that are appealing because of the humility. Once an audience member wanted to deliver a message. Barry, expecting a lovely compliment, allowed the man to speak. The message was ”My wife can’t stand you”
He spoke of his parents who thought he had no talent, as an actor. He agreed with them then and still does. The result is that he just continues doing the job he loves.
He tells of his appearance in Snow White. He really hated Valerie, the girl who played the lead. He wanted to kill her, and he made an apple full of nasties like cochineal for the redness. If you want to know the rest of the story ,Humphries is on tour at various places around the country so you can catch him there, where noisy people don’t laugh just as he does the punch line.
Everyone wants to know how Dame Edna evolved. She started as somebody he knew in Australia. He was fascinated by her behaviour and conversation. So, starting with a real person, he tjust took on the personality and exaggerated a bit, turning her into an incredibly successful character
Pretentious, and snobby, over dressed and over made up; the purple wig and the diamond studied spectacles.are a clever disguise and- her bitchy remarks are so funny, because she herself is so appalling, and because she is not a real person just an image.
In Act two, barry returns in a blue velvet DJ. This time there are films of the outrageous Dame Edna. It is more lively and enormous fun. Like joining Prince Charles and Camilla in their box at the Royal Variety Performance. They laughed so much.
Barry’s show is touring many towns theatres around the country. Do go if you get a chance. You can let me know what happened to Valerie.
Aline waites
pyekan 