Barry Humphries‘ final curtain call will be held at the Sydney Opera House where colleagues and friends from around the globe will gather to celebrate his stellar seven-decade international career.
The UNESCO World Heritage building on Sydney Harbour has been deemed the most appropriate venue for a service to farewell the acclaimed comedian, raconteur, author, actor and satirist.
The memorial on December 15 will be co-hosted by the Australian and NSW governments, in partnership with the arts community from across the country, including his home state of Victoria.
“As an internationally recognised home of performance, arts and culture, the Sydney Opera House is a fitting venue for the service which will honour the remarkable life and enduring legacy of the beloved Australian personality,” a joint statement from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns said on Monday.
Humphries died in Sydney on April 22, aged 89.
His iconic characters Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson made him famous and beloved around the world.
The memorial will bring together dignitaries, family, friends and fans to celebrate his extraordinary career and achievements.
“Barry Humphries was a much-loved Australian and a huge loss to the arts community,” Mr Albanese said.
“The Australian government is pleased to work with the NSW government to deliver a state memorial to honour the life and legacy of this beloved entertainer.”
There was initially a bit of a tug of war over where Humphries’ service would be held, after Mr Albanese announced a joint state service between the Commonwealth, NSW and Victoria.
Humphries’ family eventually opted for Sydney, where the comic legend made his home in his later years, over Melbourne, where he was born.
It follows a private funeral for Humphries, hosted by his friend, artist Tim Storrier, at his Bowral estate in the NSW Southern Highlands in late April.
Film director Bruce Beresford – who was one of the few invited to the ceremony – told The Australian was “a small affair, just family and close friends”.
“It was very touching, very warm. Everybody was either related or a great friend of Barry’s,” Beresford said.
Humphries reportedly suffered a series of health struggles in recent months following a fall earlier this year.
Mr Minns described him as one of the nation’s greatest ever comedic talents.
“The Sydney Opera House is a fitting location for what promises to be a memorable send-off given the venue’s significance in Australian arts, culture and entertainment.”
Humphries was also a founding patron of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, leading to it naming its annual prize for most outstanding act after him in 2000. The event’s decision to dump him from the title role in 2019, after comments he made about trangender people, reportedly angered and upset the comedian.
– with AAP
