Barry Humphries THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK Tour Announced

Celebrated Australian performer Barry Humphries AO, CBE will take Australian audiences on a revelatory trip through his colourful life and theatrical career when he tours Australia in May 2018 with Barry Humphries: The Man Behind the Mask.

In an intimate, confessional evening - seasoned with highly personal, sometimes startling, and occasionally outrageous stories - Australia's best loved entertainer will be peeling off his mask to introduce the man behind the clown. Barry Humphries: The Man Behind the Mask Tour Dates:

NEWCASTLE: Saturday 5 May, 8pm and Sunday 6 May, 1pm at Civic Theatre Newcastle
BRISBANE: Thursday 10 May, 3pm & 8pm at Concert Hall, QPAC
GOLD COAST: Saturday 12 May, 8pm and Sunday 13 May 3pm at The Star Gold Coast
CANBERRA: Wednesday 16 May, 8pm at Royal Theatre Canberra
SYDNEY: Thursday 17 May, 8pm and Friday 18 May, 8pm at Darling Harbour Theatre, ICC Sydney
MELBOURNE: Wednesday 23 May 8pm and Thursday 24 May, 8pm at Hamer Hall
ADELAIDE: Wednesday 30 May, 8pm and Thursday 31 May, 8pm at Festival Theatre
GEELONG: Saturday 2 June, 2pm & 8pm at Deakin's Costa Hall

Pre sale starts at 12pm on Tuesday 21 November
General Public on sale starts at 10am on Thursday 23 November

VISIT TEGDAINTY.COM FOR TICKET INFORMATION

For more than 60 years, Humphries has held a mirror to Australia and Australians, revealing their virtues, their foibles, their triumphs and their failings through a gallery of adored characters, including Dame Edna Everage, Sir Les Paterson and Sandy Stone.

Now he will spin the mirror around, exposing his own highs and lows, the good times and the not so good. Themes include Humphries' Australian childhood, family relationships, attitudes, career and his experiences as one of the world's most acclaimed entertainers.

"This is a show in which I am the principal character; it's not Les, it's not Edna, it's not Sandy Stone. It is really about this character called 'me'. I'm not in disguise," Humphries says.

"It is the story of my generation, it is a story of a life spent in the theatre and a life spent in comedy, and it will show what it is like to be a clown. In a way, this is perhaps the bravest thing I've ever done and I hope the most entertaining. I think people might be agreeably shocked and they certainly will learn much they didn't know."

Audiences can expect a virtuoso, comic, solo performance filled with laughter, drama and surprise. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and the magic of technology may even allow appearances - or interruptions - by unexpected guests.

"Audio-visual technology has made dramatic strides in my life and it's now possible for me to be on stage with one of my own characters. They may intrude. I might be interrupted," he hints. "I might even be upstaged!"

But while Humphries has retired from "relentlessly touring", he can't wait to introduce Australians to this new phase in his creative life.

"I'm rather proud of what I've done in my career. It's constantly surprising, it's very stimulating and it's wonderful to look back on, and to look forward to. It's still going strong, and with a vengeance."

Barry Humphries: The Man Behind the Mask is being produced and promoted by TEG DAINTY.

"We are thrilled to welcome back one of Australia's greatest ever performers and to introduce audiences to the man behind the characters we all know and love," TEG DAINTY President and CEO Paul Dainty said.

"I can't wait to hear Barry's stories and to join him on his next creative adventure."

Barry Humphries: The Man Behind the Mask plays in Newcastle, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Geelong.

"I am enjoying myself on stage more than ever, thanks to my dear friend, the Australian Audience."

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