Dame Edna Pens 'Farewell Ode to the British Media

By: Nov. 15, 2013
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Global star and legendary entertainer Barry Humphries just transferred his FAREWELL TOUR to the London Palladium for a West End run. EAT PRAY LAUGH! gives audiences the chance to bid farewell to Humphries, arguably Australia's greatest entertainment export, whose creations have brought him international acclaim and adoration: cultural attaché the Honorable Sir Les Patterson, Sandy Stone and, of course, the incomparable Dame Edna Everage. Dame Edna said, "I've been away from home too long possums, and my true home is the London Palladium. Book now for the housewarming party of the century!"

The legend just penned a special farewell to the media and you can check out the full composition below!

'Farewell Ode to the British Media'

Here on this gorgeous Palladium stage
In this fabulous crimson dress
I have a few little words that I want to say
To my possums of the press:

You have supported me for over fifty years,
You have bolstered me up and backed me,
You never published an exposé
And hardly, if ever, hacked me.

And now you have gathered together today,
Hushed and a tad reverential,
TO help me launch my farewell show
Which contains one important essential.

LAUGHTER - the thing that the world most needs,
Laughter and glamour and glitter.
Laughter is what my show provides
Not merely a smirk and a titter.

I believe I have served my public well
I always give value for money
And thank goodness my fans have yet to say
'We knew her when she was funny'.

And yet I retain the common touch
I am modest and not terribly well-born
I'm an icon, a role mode, but underneath
I'm a humble housewife from Melbourne.

Let's face it, I've had my ups and downs
But I never got frayed or unravelled
For it's a long, long road from Moonee Ponds
But a road I'm proud to have travelled.

I suppose I should thank that Humphries chap
But I doubt if I ever will
For a while I've kept my hand in on the stage
He's kept his hand in the till.

I've discovered the key to a happy life,
The secret to joyful living,
As my gynaecologist said to me only today
'Edna, will you never stop giving?'.

But there's only one thing that I won't forgive
And I think you might as well know
I'll never speak to you ever again
If you don't come along to my show.

©Dame Edna Everage, www.dameednafarewell.com

Humphries, one of the world's sharpest wits and finest comic talents, has already taken his final triumphant bow to audiences throughout Australia and New Zealand where additional performances were added across the tour to satisfy the demand of more than a quarter of a million adoring fans.

Dame Edna is one of the greatest stars of the last 50 years, winning a Tony Award for her Broadway show, "The Royal Tour". The "housewife superstar" has played the West End and Broadway on numerous occasions, performing to packed theatres including the Royal Albert Hall at the "Last Night of the Poms", and the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane as well as countless performances for the Royal Family; has television credits including the legendary UK special "A Night on Mt. Edna" as well as her own innovative chat show "The Dame Edna Experience"; and has played to sold-out audiences around the world.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos



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