Dame Edna Everage featuring on a billboard at the Myer department store in Melbourne.

Dame Edna Everage is a character played by Australian comedian Barry Humphries. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience primarily by making them laugh John Barry Humphries, AO, CBE (born 17 February 1934, Kew, Melbourne, Victoria) is an Australian As Dame Edna, Humphries has written several books[1] and hosted various television shows (on which Humphries has also appeared as himself). In 1979, Dame Edna was the subject of a BBC Arena mockumentary: La Dame aux Gladiolas. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) Arena is a British Television documentary series made and broadcast by the BBC. Mockumentary (also known as a pseudo-documentary) a Portmanteau of Mock and documentary, is a film and TV Genre, or a single work

While Humphries freely states that Dame Edna is a character he plays, Dame Edna consistently denies being a fictional character or drag performer, and refers to Humphries as her "entrepreneur" or manager. Drag in its broadest sense means any clothing one wears however the traditional use of the term is for any Costume or outfit that carries symbolic significance An entrepreneur is a person who has possession over a company enterprise, or Venture, and assumes significant accountability for the inherent risks and the outcome Indeed, Dame Edna has frequently said that the thought of a man dressing up as a woman for entertainment purposes is repulsive.

Fictional biography

According to Dame Edna's autobiography, and to statements she has made, she was born Edna May Beazley in the (then) small rural town of Wagga Wagga, and started her stage career on 19 December 1955 as Mrs. Wagga Wagga Events 324 - Licinius abdicates his position as Roman Emperor. Year 1955 ( MCMLV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar) Norm Everage, an "average Australian housewife" from Moonee Ponds, a Melbourne suburb. Moonee Ponds is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moonee Valley. Melbourne ( is the second most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 3 Dame Edna was born with a sibling, who gave birth to Barry McKenzie. Barry "Bazza" McKenzie (full name Barrington Bradman Bing McKenzie) is a Fictional character originally created by the Australian comedian

She is easily recognisable for her lilac-coloured hair (which she claims is natural) and over-the-top eyeglasses. About the plant lilac see Syringa. Lilac is a color that is a pale shade of violet.

She spends her time visiting world leaders and jet-setting between her homes in Los Angeles, London, Sydney, Switzerland and Martha's Vineyard. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation Martha's Vineyard (adjoining the smaller Chappaquiddick Island) is an Island off the US east coast to the south of Cape Cod, both She is a friend and confidante of the Queen. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II

Like Humphries, Dame Edna has four adult children: two daughters, Valmai (who assisted Dame Edna on her most recent programme for ITV1, The Dame Edna Treatment) and Lois. This article deals with the ITV1 brand name as it is broadcast at present The Dame Edna Treatment is a British talk show starring Barry Humphries as Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson. Her two sons are Bruce, who is married to Joylene, and her youngest child is Kenneth (or Kenny), who, when described by Dame Edna, comes across as a caricature of a gay man. A caricature is either a Portrait that exaggerates or distorts the essence of a person or thing to create an easily identifiable visual likeness or in literature a description In the English language, gay is an Adjective that in modern usage refers to Homosexuality. Dame Edna shows no awareness of his homosexuality, despite often referring to his 'partner', Clifford Smale. Kenny was shown in Sir Les Patterson's documentary 'Les Patterson and the Great Chinese Takeaway' as a boutique owner in Hong Kong. Dr Sir Lesley Colin Patterson is a Fictional character portrayed by the Australian comedian Barry Humphries. Dame Edna's mother is incarcerated in a "maximum-security twilight home for the bewildered". Valmai and Kenny are the only family member (as of yet) to be seen. Her husband, Sir Norman Everage, died in 1988 after many years in hospital suffering from prostate problems and a "testicular murmur".

Besides these family members, her elderly "bridesmaid" Madge Allsop (played by Emily Perry), a New Zealander from Palmerston North, is often present during Dame Edna's appearances and television shows. Emily Perry ( 28 June 1907 &ndash 19 February 2008) was an English Actress and Dancer. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island Palmerston North (Te Papa-i-oea is the main city of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. Madge never speaks a word, though she is often the butt of Dame Edna's jokes.

Dame Edna is praised for her insights into her homeland. When asked why Australians are so good at sport she commented "Good food and diet; open air life; juicy steaks; sunshine — and the total absence of any kind of intellectual distraction. An intellectual (from the adjective meaning "involving thought and reason" is a person who tries to use his or her Intelligence and analytical thinking, "

Honours

On 7 March 2007 her home town (Melbourne) re-named a city street in her honour: Dame Edna Place^[1], formerly Brown Alley off Little Collins Street, was officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, John So. Events 161 - Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by co-Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Melbourne ( is the second most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 3 The Lord Mayor is the title of the Mayor of a major city with special recognition Dr John Chun Sai So JP ( Traditional Chinese: 蘇震西 Simplified Chinese: 苏震西 is an Australian businessman and the Lord Mayor of Melbourne Dame Edna Place is opposite Royal Arcade and The Causeway, between the major roads, Elizabeth Street and Swanston Street; it was, until its renaming, a service alley for adjoining buildings. Dame Edna was not at the renaming ceremony, but was represented by 10 look-alike Dames.

On 16 June 2007, Dame Edna's alter-ego Barry Humphries became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to entertainment. Events 1487 - Battle of Stoke Field, the last dying breath of the Wars of the Roses. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British Order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. ^[2]

Note sign set high on wall, and stars set into the walkway

Note how it is well lit, with signs each side

Detail of one sign

Performances

The Edna Everage character first appeared in a Melbourne comedy revue in 1955. Melbourne ( is the second most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 3 At this time she was "Mrs Norm Everage". An interview with Mrs Everage was one of the programmes screened on HSV-7's first day of programming in 1956. HSV is a television station in Melbourne. It is part of the Seven Network, one of the three main commercial television networks in Australia.

Her overseas debut, now as Edna Everage, was in the early 1960s at comedian Peter Cook's nightclub, The Establishment, in London's West End, where she received a poor review from Bamber Gascoigne, then the drama critic for The Spectator. Peter Edward Cook (17 November 1937 &ndash 9 January 1995 was an English Satirist, Writer and Comedian. The Establishment was a London Nightclub which opened in October 1961 at 18 Greek Street, Soho and was famous in retrospect for satire although Bamber Gascoigne (born 24 January 1935 in London) is a British Television presenter and Author. For other uses see Spectator. The Spectator is a weekly British Magazine first published on 6 July Barry Humphries cites Peter Cook as being instrumental in launching Edna's UK career. Peter Edward Cook (17 November 1937 &ndash 9 January 1995 was an English Satirist, Writer and Comedian.

In 1972, she appeared as Barry McKenzie's "Aunt Edna" in the film, The Adventures of Barry McKenzie and its sequel Barry McKenzie Holds His Own. Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Barry "Bazza" McKenzie (full name Barrington Bradman Bing McKenzie) is a Fictional character originally created by the Australian comedian The Adventures of Barry McKenzie is a 1972 Australian film starring Barry Crocker, telling the story of an Australian ' Yobbo ' on his travels Barry McKenzie Holds His Own is the 1974 sequel to the 1972 Australian Comedy Film The Adventures of Barry McKenzie. It was during this time that she was "knighted" by then Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, becoming "Dame Edna". Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC (born 11 July 1916 known as Gough Whitlam (ˈɡɒf goff is an Australian former politician and 21st

Edna makes a brief cameo appearance in the 1978 film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is an American Musical film released in 1978. Dame Edna became notable in the UK throughout the 1980s and early 1990s for her semi-regular television shows. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The 1980s was the decade spanning from January 1 1980 to December 31 1989. The 1990s collectively refers to the years between and including 1990 and 1999 She became popular with broadcaster ITV after her performance on the first An Audience With... in 1980. Independent Television (generally known as ITV) is a public service network of British commercial television broadcasters set up under the Independent An Audience with (usually followed by the name of the featured Comedian or Singer) is a popular British variety Television Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) She was later given her own weekly shows such as The Dame Edna Experience in 1987 and Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch in 1992, in which she and her silent, sour-faced "bridesmaid", Madge (see below), had a look at people's houses. The Dame Edna Experience was a British television comedy talk-show hosted by Dame Edna Everage (a character played by Australian satirist Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch was a 1992 comic Game show. Hosted by the flamboyant Dame Edna Everage (actor Barry Humphries in Drag Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar)

In 2000 and 2004, Dame Edna appeared on Broadway. Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located These were ostensibly not "performances", but rather "appearances", with Dame Edna giving monologues and interacting with audience members.

During 2001 and 2002, Dame Edna appeared in the fifth season of the television show Ally McBeal playing the guest role of Claire Otoms, a client of the show's law firm who later became a secretary at the same firm. Ally McBeal is an American Television series which ran on the FOX network from 1997 to 2002 The character shared Dame Edna's voice and style and was explicitly listed in the opening credits as being played by Dame Edna Everage (although Barry Humphries received a credit in the closing credits). Claire Otoms is an anagram of "A Sitcom Role". An anagram ( Greek anagramma 'letters written anew' passive participle of ana- 'again' + gramma 'letter' is a type of Word play

Dame Edna appeared at the Queen's Golden Jubilee Concert (often referred to as the "Party at the Palace") in London in 2002, where she referred to the Queen as the "jubilee girl". She also featured at the Closing Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2006 in Melbourne, Australia. A ceremony is an activity infused with Ritual significance performed on a special occasion The 2006 Commonwealth Games were held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia between 15 March and 26 March 2006 During her act she sang a song containing her thoughts on Melbourne and Australia in general. More recently (20 May 2006) she appeared on ITV's coverage of The Prince's Trust annual fundraiser. Events 325 - The First Council of Nicaea &ndash the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church is held Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Independent Television (generally known as ITV) is a public service network of British commercial television broadcasters set up under the Independent The Prince's Trust is a charity in the United Kingdom founded by the Prince of Wales to help young people She took part in a Blind Date themed skit, picking Chico Slimani over Roger Moore and Richard E Grant. Blind Date is a British Dating game show produced by ITV contractor London Weekend Television. Yousseph Slimani (born April 2, 1971) known as Chico, is a British pop singer of Moroccan descent who rose to prominence in the Sir Roger George Moore KBE (born 14 October 1927) is an English Actor. Richard E Grant (born May 5 1957 is an English Actor, Screenwriter and director, perhaps most famous for portraying the world-weary drug-crazed

In the summer of 2006, Dame Edna appeared on Jay Leno's Tonight Show alongside Billy Crystal. James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno (born April 28 1950 is an Emmy Award -winning American Stand-up comedian and Television host The Tonight Show with Jay Leno is an Emmy Award -winning American late-night Talk show currently hosted by Jay Leno, on William Edward "Billy" Crystal (born March 14, 1948) is an American Golden Globe Award -nominated and Emmy Award -winning On 23 September 2006, during an interview on Parkinson, she revealed that she would be returning to ITV in 2007 with a new chat show, The Dame Edna Treatment. Events 1122 - Concordat of Worms. 1459 - Battle of Blore Heath, the first major battle of the English Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Parkinson was a British television Chat show presented by Sir Michael Parkinson. Independent Television (generally known as ITV) is a public service network of British commercial television broadcasters set up under the Independent The Dame Edna Treatment is a British talk show starring Barry Humphries as Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson. The show began on Saturday 17 March 2007, with the set-up being that Edna runs a health spa where various famous guests come for treatment. Events 45 BC - In his last victory Julius Caesar defeats the Pompeian forces of Titus Labienus and Pompey the Younger Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

On Wednesday 17 December 2006, Dame Edna appeared as a guest panelist on the ABC TV Show Spicks and Specks where she sang with presenter Adam Hills. Events 546 - Gothic War (535–554: The Ostrogoths of King Totila Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly abbreviated to the 'ABC' is Australia's national public broadcaster. Spicks and Specks is an Australian music-themed television quiz show with a humorous streak Adam Hills (born July 10 1970 is a Perrier and Gold Logie -nominated Australian Comedian and Television presenter.

On Sunday 16 December 2007 she appeared as the final guest on the final episode of the Parkinson UK talk show. Events 755 - An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Parkinson was a British television Chat show presented by Sir Michael Parkinson.

On Thursday 29 May 2008 she appeared on The Graham Norton Show alongside Ray Mears and Alanis Morissette. Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian defeats the Sassanid army in the Battle of Ctesiphon, under the walls of the 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The Graham Norton Show is a comedy chat show that has aired on BBC Two since 2007 Raymond Paul "Ray" Mears (born February 7, 1964) is a British Author and TV presenter on the subject of Bushcraft Alanis Nadine Morissette (born June 1 1974 is a Canadian-born Singer-songwriter, Record producer, and Actress.

Controversy

In 2003, Vanity Fair magazine invited Dame Edna to write a satirical advice column; a piece published in the February issue created a storm of controversy when Dame Edna, in a reply to a reader who asked if she should learn Spanish, wrote:

Forget Spanish. Vanity Fair is an American magazine of Culture, Fashion, and Politics published by Condé Nast Publications. Satire is often strictly defined as a literary genre or form; although in practice it is also found in the graphic and Performing arts In satire human There's nothing in that language worth reading except Don Quixote, and a quick listen to the CD of Man of La Mancha will take care of that . es '''''Don Quixote''''' (, see spelling and pronunciation below fully titled es '''''El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha''''' ("The Ingenious Hidalgo Don A Compact Disc (also known as a CD) is an Optical disc used to store digital data, originally developed for storing digital audio Man of La Mancha is a musical with a book by Dale Wasserman, lyrics by Joe Darion and music by Mitch Leigh. . . Who speaks it that you are really desperate to talk to? The help? Your leaf blower?

The satirical intent—poking fun at the haughty attitudes of wealthy Americans who hire low-waged Hispanic domestic workers—evidently went over the heads of some readers. Hispanic (hispano hispánico hispânico Hispānus adjective from ''Hispānia'', the Roman name for the Iberian Peninsula) is a term that historically Some members of the Hispanic community read the joke as a deliberately racist remark, and complaints flooded in to the magazine. Hollywood actress Salma Hayek responded angrily, penning a furious letter in which she denounced Dame Edna. Salma Hayek Jiménez (born September 2, 1966) is a Mexican and American Death threats were even received and Vanity Fair was eventually forced to publish a full-page apology to the Hispanic community.

Humphries commented later: "If you have to explain satire to someone, you might as well give up. " When Dame Edna was questioned about the controversy on the eve of her 2003 Australian tour, she retorted that Hayek's denunciation was due to "professional jealousy", and that Hayek was envious because the role of painter Frida Kahlo (for which Hayek received an Oscar nomination) had originally been offered to Edna:

When I was offered the part of Frida I turned it down, and she was the second choice. Frida Kahlo (July 6 1907 – July 13 1954 was a Mexican painter, who has achieved great international popularity I said 'I'm not playing the role of a woman with a moustache and a monobrow, and I'm not having same-sex relations on the screen' . . . I'm not racist. I love all races, particularly white people. You know, I even like Roman Catholics.

Madge Allsop

Madge Allsop, Dame Edna's former sidekick and silent foil was played from 1987 by Emily Perry. Emily Perry ( 28 June 1907 &ndash 19 February 2008) was an English Actress and Dancer. Madge was only known to speak on one occasion, when she sang and danced on a special Comic Relief sketch in the UK. When Christiaan Barnard performed a face lift for Madge on The Dame Edna Experience, after the surgery, Madge was played briefly by Anne Charleston. Christiaan Neethling Barnard ( November 8, 1922 &ndash September 2, 2001) was a South African cardiac surgeon, famous for Anne Charleston (born in 1943 Melbourne, Australia) is an Australian Actress currently based in Galway, Ireland and the Madge appeared with Dame Edna on Dame Edna's Hollywood, Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch, The Dame Edna Experience, and The Dame Edna Satellite Experience. Perry died 20th February 2008, at the age of 100.

Quotes

"This double chin was grafted onto me, in Brazil, it belonged to Elizabeth Taylor, it was her left love handle. "

"Andrew Lloyd Webber doesn't need necessarily to be on camera does he? I think the old phantom could have lent him a mask or two. . . No I'm teasing & he'd know if he's watching, which I hope he isn't"

"In Australia, our houses aren't all joined together like yours to stop them from falling over. "

"Never be afraid to laugh at yourself, after all, you could be missing out on the joke of the century. "

"I'm trying to find a word to describe what you're wearing. . . affordable!"

"Never in England I was given any chance. . . I'm better than Judi Dench, much much better and I'm afraid taller!"

References

External links

• Dame Edna Official Website
• The Dame Edna Treatment at itv.com
• Virtually Edna (Online Documentary & More)
• Dame Edna Street
• Dame Edna/Barry Humphries at the Internet Broadway Database