Last-modified: 03/01/07 The _____ ____ __ __ _____ _____ _____ _ _ ____ | __ \ / __ \ | \/ | | ___| | ___| | __ \ | \ | | / __ \ | | | | | | | | | \ / | | |_ | |_ | | | | | \| | | | | | | | | | | |__| | | |\/| | | _| | _| | | | | | ` | | |__| | | |__| | | __ | | | | | | |___ | |___ | |__| | | |\ | | __ | |_____/ |_| |_| |_| |_| |_____| |_____| |_____/ |_| \_| |_| |_| Everage . . _____ ____ ____ `()Oo.._ _..oO()' | ___| / __ \ / __ \ ~o()**o.\*-__. .__-*/.o**()o~ | |_ | | | | | | | | ~\()o==--*-*%-. .-%*-*--==o()/~ | _| | |__| | | | | | `()Oo.--| \ == / |--.oO()' | | | __ | | |__| | `*-| // \\ |-*' |_| .|_| |_|. \___\_\. `()Oo.- // \\ -.oO()' ~*\..__,// \\,__../*~ `()O*o.___./ \.___.o*O()' Version 2.1 CONTENTS ======== [0] About this FAQ [1] Who is Dame Edna [1.1] Edna May Everage-Beazley [1.2] What is Madge Allsop ? [1.3] Who is Sir Les Patterson [1.4] Who is Barry Humphries ? [2] Television shows [2.1] Dame Edna TV shows [2.2] TV guest appearances and interviews [2.3] Currently on TV [3] Theatre appearances [3.1] Theatre Shows [3.2] Other theatre performances [4] Movies [4.1] Dame Edna [4.2] Barry Humphries [5] Public appearances [6] Music & Voice [7] Books & other publications [7.1] by Dame Edna [7.2] by Sir Les Patterson [7.3] by Barry Humphries [7.4] Related literature [8] Dame Edna - Agencies, Holdings and Cartels [9] Memorable quotes & other facts of global importance [10] Pointers to Dame Edna resources [10.1] World Wide Web links [10.2] Merchandise [11] Credits [12] Disclaimer [0] About this FAQ ==================== HELLO POSSUMS ! This document is built and updated by devoted Dame Edna fans worldwide. Any corrections, suggestions, and additions are more than welcome; especially currently scheduled broadcasts, guest/commercial appearances, where to buy video and audio tapes, original air dates, and poignant Edna-quotes. Editor's note: movies, TV and radio programs and public apperances may all be out of date, since these were last updated circa 1998. [1] Who is Dame Edna ? ======================== 1.1 Edna May Everage-Beazley Born Edna May Beazley, in the small outback town of Wagga-Wagga, Dame Edna Everage started her career on December 19th in 1955, an ordinary Australian housewife from Moonie Ponds, a Melbourne suburb, sharing stories about her everyday life with small audiences. Since then, she has become a Superstar and finally a global jet-setting Megastar, hosting huge television and theatre shows with a gallimaufry of very famous international guests, invariably ending with the ritualistic grand finale of flying, waving and trembling gladioli. Blessed with natural wisteria hair from birth, and impeded by her ill (now late-) husband Norman Stoddard Everage, she continues to bring her "priceless gifts of caring and sharing" to a global audience, in what has been called "a riot of green spangles and diamante-trimmed flyaway spectacles". For moral support she usually brings along her old friend and bridesmaid, Madge Allsop. Dame Edna has a dysfunctional family with three grown-up children: Bruce, Valmai and Kenneth, and at least one grandchild, Bruce's daughter Jasmin. According to her gynaecologist, Dame Edna is "perfectly healthy and still able to have grandchildren". With a flair for humble self-deification which surpasses even that of Michael Jackson, Dame Edna lists "taking tea with Stephen Hawking" as one of her hobbies. 1.2 What is Madge Allsop ? Good question - no matter how long she soaks in Palmolive and Nivea, she barely looks human. Dame Edna once described Madge as "a human maggot, held together by bacteria and fueled by Valium" who looks "almost as old as the original cast of Star Trek." Her maiden name is Marjorie Kiri McWirther - yes, she's from New Zealand! - and her birthday is April 1. She is a cunning, manipulative, and lusty old woman, definitely not as innocent as she appears. Madge is best known for being the bridesmaid at Edna's marriage, where she caught Edna's bouquet - on the back of her neck. She married her husband, Douglas Hugh Allsop, on July 3rd; he died tragically the next day. 1.3 Who is Sir Les Patterson ? Leslie Colin Patterson, born and raised in Sydney, started out as an entertainments officer. His earliest public appearance together with Edna was in Sydney, 1975, announcing Edna at a Sydney Leagues Club. Regarding himself a true connoisseur of 'The Yartz', he proclaimed himself "Cultural Attache' to the Court of Saint James's", became a cabinet member and 'Sir' since 1976, and supremo of the Australian Cheese Board. In every possible way, Sir Les is the complete opposite of Dame Edna; gross and vulgar, where Edna is always amiable and decent. 1.4 Who is Barry Humphries ? The poet John Betjeman described the Melbourne born (February 17, 1934) comedian Barry Humphries as "...an artist with words, imagination and mimicry who belongs to the great tradition of music hall and theatre". Dame Edna started out with a seminal appearance in his show in 1955, and was also present at his London debut in 1972. Since then, according to Edna, Barry Humphries has acted as her manager. Barry currently lives in Hampstead, London, with his fourth wife Lizzie Spender. [2] Television Shows ====================== Reruns of the 'Experience' shows, the ultimate TV evergreens, are frequently aired all over the world. Dame Edna's shows are, as she reminds her guests, always aimed at a family audience - "the family that stays up late". Watch Edna treat famous guests as mere props, while sharing with us what she calls her "monologue interrupted by total strangers". Edna's very first TV shows were created at the BBC. Since the eighties, most of her British TV shows are produced by London Weekend Television (see section 8 ) for the commercial ITV channel. 2.1 Dame Edna TV shows * "The Barry Humphries Show: Dame Edna Everage" BBC 2, 1976 (and earlier) Several shows, of which a compilation was aired at the BBC 30 year (?) anniversary in 1995. A younger, higher-pitched Edna is introduced by four singers called the EdnaTones, has tea with Katy Boyle, and sings an endearing song for Madge titled 'My Bridesmaid and I' (Which she sings again in 1989 in the show that features Liza Minelli.) It contains footage of Edna's trip to Holland, exploring the Amsterdam canals and visiting the windmills on the Zaanse Schans. Shows in the "Dame Edna Experience" format with all-celebrity guests: * The Dame Edna Experience Produced for ITV by LWT A total of 15 shows, including 3 specials. First Cycle: Coming from a studio setting which "looks a bit like the inside of Elton John's dishwasher", each show starts with a sequence of Edna appearing with various world leaders, royalty, and the Pope: Wherever the eyes of the world are focused, wherever history is in the making - SHE is there. Organizing events, guiding those new to the limelight. Bringing openness to those who shape the destinies of the planet. In the corridors of power, behind closed doors, she is the one the leaders follow. Jetting around the world to bring words of comfort to the bewildered, ever ready to share herself with her public, she'll even give up her Sundays to bring colour to our lives. Interrupting her busy schedule to be with us tonight - ladies and gentlemen - Dame Edna Everage ! 6 shows of 45 min ('87-'88): - Mary Whitehouse, Cliff Richard, Sean Connery - Germaine Greer, Nana Mouskouri, Charlton Heston, Zsa Zsa Gabor - Patrick Lichfield, Jerry Hall, Charlton Heston - Jane Seymour, Larry Hagman, Arthur Marshall - Demis Roussos, Joan Rivers, Jeffrey Archer - Cynthia Payne, Rudolph Nurejev, Sir John Mills - Dame Edna Christmas Experience - a 56 min. special (1987) Roger Moore, Lulu, Denis Healey, the Welsh Cathedral Choir, Sir Les Patterson Second Cycle: These experiences take place in Edna's own Mayfair penthouse apartment, starting with Edna flying in her Edna Air helicopter while the voice-over announces: From high in the night sky - Above a nation's capital Down flashes a shooting Megastar - On a mission of mercy Zeroing in on her rooftop helipad Bearing priceless gifts of caring and sharing She touches down to touch the hearts of her celebrity guests Who tremble in anticipation in her luxury penthouse below Ladies and gentlemen, it's the Dame Edna Experience with Dame Edna Everage !! 6 shows of 40 min (1989): - Douglas Fairbanks Jr, Ronald Reagan Jr, Chubby Checker, Jane Fonda - Liza Minelli, Vivienne Westwood, Magnus Magnusson - Glenys Kinnock, Jason Donovan, Michael Gambon, Malcolm McDowell, Tim Piggot-Smith, Antony Sher, David Suchet - Ted Heath, Dusty Springfield, Dolph Lundgren - Lauren Bacall, Tom Jones, Gerald Durell - Tony Curtis, Grace Jones, Dr. Christiaan Barnard, Jeffrey Archer, Anne Charleston (Madge with a facelift) - The Dame Edna Satellite Experience - 1989 52 min Broadcasting 24 hours a day through EdnaSat, Dame Edna provides all the content - News, Soaps, Drama, and an art program called 'the Yartz' presented by Les Patterson. Featuring Yehudi Menuhin, Ursula Andress, and Robert Kilroy-Silk. - A Night on Mount Edna - 1990 Christmas special 52 min Live by satellite from her second home in Switzerland - yes, everyone is welcome to Mount Edna (!) - The 'safely bereaved widow' shares her sauna with Mel Gibson, and interviews Gina Lollobrigida and Julio Iglesias, assisted by Charlton Heston. USA network programs: * Dame Edna's Hollywood - NBC A kind of 'Hollywood Experience' with mainly American guests, from Edna's Beverly Hills mansion. - 1991 Cher, Bea Arthur, Larry Hagman, Jack Palance, Mel Gibson (taped), Doc Severinsen - 9 May 1992 Kim Basinger, Chevvy Chase, Rue McClanahan, Burgess Meredith, George Hamilton (taped segment), Robin Williams, Ringo Starr, Dr. Joyce Brothers, and Jasmin Everage, Edna's granddaughter. - 1992 Burt Reynolds, Barry Manilow, Sean Young, Caesar Romero * It's Edna Time! - 1993 FOX (cancelled after one program ?) 20 mins. Guests include Roseanne and Tom Arnold, and Luke Perry. The famous 'Audiences with Dame Edna': * An Audience with Dame Edna - 1981 52 min In a twist of Edna's tradition of exchanging celebrities for common people (as in theatre vs. TV shows), in this series the star-studded audience consists entirely of celebrities, like Joanna Lumley, Suzi Quatro, Melvyn Bragg, and Rula Lenska. Winner of a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts ) award for Best Entertainment Programme. * Another Audience with Dame Edna - 1984 52 min Another BAFTA award winner, the audience this time includes Clive James, Anton Rodgers, Kiri te Kanawa, Germaine Greer, Julie Walters, Maureen Lipman, Margaux Hemingway and Jane Seymour. Dame Edna sings a duet titled "I'm Shy" with Charles Aznavour. * One More Audience with Dame Edna - 1990 52 min Among the VIPs are Meat Loaf, Jonathan Ross, Hayley Mills, Judy Dench, Samantha Fox, Bill Wyman, Sir Yehudi Menuhin, and Barry Norman. Other shows not in the 'Experience' format: * Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch - 1992 series of 8 programmes A 'quiz' show with an audience of housewives, where Madge is the roving reporter, sent out to explore someone's home with a live camera crew ("It's time to go.. UP YOUR STAIRS !!") while Dame Edna expertly comments on the interior decoration. Among the prizes is a huge case of Nivea cream - "and you look like you need it, possum!". * Dame Edna's Work Experience - 1996 40 min Produced by DLT Entertainment UK, aired on the BBC April 1997 Our Australian Megastar and nouveau-riche housewife gets down to the factory floor and chats with ordinary blue-collar folk about their lives, recent developments in her relationship with her estranged daughter Valmai, and herself of course. * Dame Edna Kisses It Better - January 1998 50 min BBC? Edna uses her unique powers as a doctor and healer in her private clinic where Elle MacPherson and Jeffrey Archer receive her special treatment. 2.2 TV apearances and interviews * The Late Show - 1964-65 BBC Created by a cast of actors and writers including John Bird, Eleanor Bron, John Fortune, John Wells and Barry Humphries. Edna makes her British television debut with a few (short) appearances. * The Barry Humphries Scandals - 197? BBC A short-lived series but one which, some argue, has paved the way for Monty Python. In the never aired, and forever lost final episode, Edna performs a song titled 'True British Spunk'. * The David Frost Show - 197? BBC Other guests: Olivia Newton-John, Gloria Swanson (?) Edna confesses to Gloria : "I have always admired your silent period - me, I have not been fortunate to have one." * The Joan Rivers Show - 1985? Co-starring with Kermit the Frog, Twiggy, and Barry Manilow, Edna features on Joan's first UK (?) TV show. * The Terry Wogan show ('Wogan'): 1991 ?? BBC 1 Edna chats with the (replacement?) host and with Whoopi Goldberg. * There have been numerous appearances by Edna in (talk)shows world-wide to promote her autobiography 'My Gorgeous Life', 1989-90. * The Tonight show with Jay Leno - 1994 ? NBC With Elton John and Willard Scott among Jay's guests that night, Edna manages to take over the show, wearing a marvelous vegetable frock. * Miss Holland 1994 Election - 1994 RTL 4 Edna is a member of the jury, gives valuable advice to the girls, and sings a duet with host Ron Brandsteder. * In Gesprach mit Roger Willemsen - 1994 ? german TV (?) 52 minutes Willemsen (who wrote the foreword to the German edition of 'My Gorgeous Life') visits Edna in Australia for an in-depth interview. * UK Lottery 14 October 1995 Dame Edna starts the first lottery draw at the BBC Television Centre, London. * VH1 / Fashion Television - October 7, 1996 FT A short segment with a radiant Edna giving us all her views on fashion - and how she detests Versace and his peers. Hosted by Jeanne Beker. * Comic Relief / Red Nose Day - March 14, 1997 BBC 1 Edna hosted a part of the programme together with Madge; she gets real close to the Spice Girls - "Let my charisma rub off on you - and perhaps some of my longevity too" - and makes a big sacrifice for charity - a HUMAN sacrifice... A world-first, the audience witnessed Madge Allsop singing, according to Edna this was "The cry of the Kiwi - a Kiwi on heat!". True fans (and a Spice girl or two) noticed the hilarious remakes of famous artworks projected in the background, most memorably Da Vinci's Edna-Lisa.. * Sir Les and the Great Chinese Takeaway - June 28, 1997 BBC 2 A report on Hong Kong just before the takeover, we find Sir Les Patterson remeniscing with Aussie buddies at the Correspondent's Club and giving advise to British soldiers. Edna appears when Sir Les tries to buy clothes for his wife in a shop run by Kenneth Everage, son and couturier of Dame Edna. * Roseanne's talkshow - Sept 25 1998 Edna is a guest on the historic first airing of this show, reciprocating Roseanne's visit on "It's Edna Time" in 1993. * The Tonight Show with Jay Leno - Nov ?? 1998 TV appearances by Barry Humphries: * Selling Hitler (tv series) 1991 Barry plays Rupert Murdoch Commercials: * Frosted Cheerios - 1995 ? 2.3 Currently on TV Dame Edna beams her shows to every corner of the world via her very own EdnaSat TV satellite - "a wonderful cordless device, which can make all your Christmasses come at once !". Here are some stations that have been known to feature the Dame Edna Experiences and other Edna shows (ir)regularly: USA : PBS ?? WNET / 13 ?? Canada : BRAVO Channel http://www.bravo.ca Germany : 3Sat TV ?? Netherlands : TV 10 ?? [3] Theatre appearances ========================= Dame Edna made her London debut in 1962 at 'The Establishment'. Since then, in most of the shows Edna appeared but did not yet have the main billing. 3.1 Theatre shows * Mr and Mrs 1955 Sydney Various revue sketches, at the Philip Street Theatre. * Rock 'n Reel 1958 Melbourne Barry in an intimate revue, written by Humphries and Peter O'Shaugnessy. * A Nice Night's Entertainment 1962 Australian tour Edna treats the audience to an old fashioned slide evening with pictures she took in London. * Excuse I 1965 Brisbane 1965/66 Royal Theatre, Sydney 1965/66 Melbourne Subtitled "Another Nice Night's Entertainment". Humphries' second second one-man show, and the first one in which Edna hurled gladioli in the finale. * Just a show 1968 Australian tour * Just a show 1969 Fortune Theatre, London * A Load of Olde Stuffe 1971 Playbox Theatre, Sydney A divertissement in two acts. * At Least You Can Say That You've Seen It 1974-75 Australian tour A tragi-farce in two acts. * Housewife-Superstar! 1976 Apollo Theatre, London 1977 Theatre Four, off-Broadway New York Edna's first big London show, an abridged version of the Australian show 'At Least You Can Say...' With appearances by Les Patterson and Sandy Stone. * A Night With Dame Edna 1978 Picadilly Theatre, London * Isn't It Pathetic at His Age 1978 Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney World premier of this show, May 24. * Isn't It Pathetic at His Age 1978 Comedy Theatre; Melbourne * A Night Out With Dame Edna 1979 Picadilly Theatre, London * A Night Out With Dame Edna 1979 Australian tour A deluxe keepsake program * An Evening's Intercourse 1981 Australian tour * An Evening's Intercourse with the widely liked Barry Humphries 1981-82 Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London * Tears Before Bedtime 1985 Melbourne? * Back with a Vengeance 1987 The Strand, London Adapted from 'Tears Before Bedtime' * Dame Edna's Australian walkabout 1998 Australia * Back with a Vengeance, Dame Edna's Second Coming 1989 Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London 'She's back because she cares' * Look at Me When I'm Talking to You! 1993-94 Australia, and ??? 1995 Palace Theatre, Manchester 1996 Canada ? 1996 London * Dame Edna ueber Deutschland 1996 Germany: Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Berlin. 'Hallo Beutelratten !!' (Hello possums!) * Edna: The Spectacle 1998 London, Theatre Royal Haymarket Guildford, Plymouth, and Bradford. In her biographical Millennium Musical, after a traumatic experience the Dame finds herself on a Prozac drip, taking a trip through history with a continent-spanning story. * Dame Edna The Royal Tour 1998 Theatre on the Square - San Francisco starting October 1st Before Edna played the Dusseldorfer Schauspielhaus ( October 1996 ) she revealed these important facts in a press conference: "Moonee Ponds has just been twinned with Dusseldorf. I'm giving you a world-exclusive - not even the major knows about this, he will have to read it here ! Did you know Germany and Australia were once a single continent, millions of years ago ? Archeologists have unearthed a kangaroo skeleton and stone-crafted spectacles in the Harz mountains, which proves that an Australian woman must have once lived here ! Spooky, isn't it ? You know, in Australia I'm a sex-symbol, just like Claudia Schiffer is over here. Though I'm not a classical beauty, I do have that real je-ne-sais-quoi. Madge will be present. The doctors insisted; I make people so happy, they experience a shock on their return to the real world. Madge is there to depress them just in time, so they don't go crazy. At the peak of their joy, Madge appears on stage to remind te audience of the harsh life waiting outside... I played my show in New Zealand, where Madge comes from. It was a total disaster. It's because the New-Zealanders speak very little English - if they speak at all. I don't want to waste any words on this, except that New Zealand lies to the EAST of Australia. Madge is an Ossi. The rings I'm wearing right now are Queen Elizabeth's. She has trusted me with a huge collection of her jewelry. She doesn't like these lying about in the palace - not with Fergie and Diana around. Everything would immediately disappear into their handbags... I'll make new shows in 1997. The TV shows that have made me popular in Germany are actually quite old. I'd love do shows here, as well as commercials - if people are prepared to pay enormous amounts of money." 3.2 Other theatre performances By Dame Edna: * Carl Davis in Croydon 1983 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra featuring Edna and others * The Song of Australia 1983 Regent Theatre, Sydney Melbourne Concert Hall An educational sonorama by Barry Humphries and Carl Davis By Barry Humphries: * The Demon Barber 1959 Lyric Opera House, London. Barry Humphries as Jonas Fogg * Oliver! 1960 New Theatre, London Barry Humphries as Mr Sowerberry * Maggie May 1964 Adelphi Theatre, London Barry as Balladeer * A Kayf Up West 1964 Theatre Royal, London Barry as Gregorius, 2nd Policeman, Nun, Lord Sexkilling, and "Tools" Gunstone. * Oliver! 1967 Picadilly Theatre, London Barry Humphries as Fagin. [4] Movies ============ 4.1 Dame Edna * The Adventures of Barry McKenzie 1972 Directed by Bruce Beresford - today known worldwide as the director of 'Driving Miss Daisy'. Because this is a movie about Barrington Bradman Bing (Barry) McKenzie, Edna's nephew, she appears as herself - Aunt Edna Everage. Written by Humphries and Bruce Beresford; also starring Barry Crocker, Peter Cook as Dominic, Spike Milligan as the landlord, Dennis Price, Dick Bentley, and Julie Covington. * Barry McKenzie Holds His Own 1974 Again Edna helps out her nephew, gets mistaken for the Queen, fights vampires, and at the end, in an historic scene, gains her Damehood from (the real) Gough Whitlam, then Prime Minister of Australia. Written by Humphries, featuring Barry Crocker, Donald Pleasence, Dick Bentley, and Clive James as a drunken film critic. * Les Patterson Saves the World 1987 Written by Barry Humphries. The action begins when Les, hard-drinking, bean eating Ambassador to the United Nations steps before the General Assembly. Instead of him receiving their congratulations they receive his flatulations. This little explosion gets him ostracized to the remotest of middle-eastern countries. There, he proceeds to offend one and all, with the exception of Dr. Charles Herpes. Herpes has discovered the cure for the stupefyingly gross disease that the whole world is about to catch. Together, they set out to keep this bad stuff from happening. But wait! That's not all. There are exploding koalas, poisonous toilet seats, Joan Rivers as President (!) and Dame Edna Everage heading the Possums For Peace Organization doing her best to help as.. Les Patterson Saves the World. Cameo appearances by the Dame: * The Naked Bunyip 1970 * Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 1978 * Howling III 'The Marsupials' 1987 * Pterodactyl Woman from Beverly Hills 1994 A movie described as "beyond camp", with Beverly D'Angelo, Brion James, Moon Zappa, and Stephen McHattie. From the Internet Movie Database review (by John Porter): 'Best of all: in the cameo of the year, Dame Edna, delivering a mantra for the 90's: "Look over there at that dysfunctional woman!" ' * Napoleon (voice only) 1995 4.2 Barry Humphries Except for the first three 'Humphries' movies mentioned above, most of these only feature cameo appearances : * Bedazzled 1967 'Envy' A great Dudley Moore and Peter Cook classic. * The Bliss of Mrs Blossom, 1968 plays an art dealer Starring John Cleese. * The Adventures of Barry McKenzie 1972 'Hoot', 'Dr Delamphrey' * Barry McKenzie Holds His Own 1974 'Dr Meyer Delamphrey' 'Senator Douglas Manton' a 'Buck-toothed Englishman' * The Great McCarthy 1975 Col Ball-Miller * Side By Side 1976 ? * The Getting of Wisdom 1977 'Rev. Strachey' * Shock Treatment 1981 'Bert Schnick' A satire of television and game shows, with Ruby Wax, Rik Mayall, and Richard O'Brien of 'Rocky Horror' fame. * Dr. Fisher of Geneva (TV movie) 1985 'Richard Deane' * Les Patterson Saves the World 1987 written by Humphries * Howling III 'The Marsupials' 1987 plays Academy Award Presenter * Immortal Beloved 1994 'Clemens Metternich' * The Leading Main 1996 plays a theatre director A comedy-thriller starring Jon Bon Jovi, Famke Janssen, and David Warner. * Welcome to Woop-Woop 1997 'Blind Wally' Also known as 'The Big Red' (working title) - an Australian comedy written by Michael Thomas. * Spice World 1997 plays 'Kevin mcMaxford' Media mogul McMaxford tries to destroy Girl Power. [5] Public appearances ======================== Compiled by Ednaspotters worldwide (still far from complete): * 1993-94 (?) Dame Edna performs the famous NBC New Year's Eve Countdown in Times Square. * August 1995, Darling Harbour, Australia Flown in specially from England by Microsoft and wearing a frock made out of CD-ROMS, Dame Edna launched Windows 95, sporting a silver sequined laptop. The large screen on the stage that was supposed to show a demonstration failed completely, but Edna managed to save not only the day, but possibly the future of Microsoft. "They should re-name the product Widows 95 in her honour." - Andrew Quested, TV Week. * May 1995, Hong Kong Dame Edna, well known market guru, made a guest appearance at the Credit Lyonnais Securities Asia Investors' Forum Gala Dinner. Here's a scrumptious sample of how Edna introduced herself: "I'm a mother and a Megastar, I'm clever and I'm cluey, I bring luck to everyone I meet, I've got fabulous Fung Shui! Little nonentities like you always look up to me, On the tasteless noodles of your lives, I am the M.S.G." * August 1996, Montreal International Comedy Festival, Canada In a red and blue sequined jacket trimmed with gold brocade and a red full lenght skirt, our favourite member of the Megastar Community inaugurated the first of four gala programs. * November 1996 (unconfirmed?!) An all-woman's celebrity race held as part of the Melbourne Grand Prix, featuring 29 women and 1 duck racing in the latest Holden Astra GSi hatch's. Those taking part included: Dame Edna Everage, Plucka Duck, Jennifer Keyte, netballers Michelle Fielke & Kathering Harby, Jo Bailey, Jo Beth Taylor, Deborah Hutton, Nicky Buckley, Tracy Grimshaw and Kerri-Anne Kennerley. [6] Music & Voice =================== Dame Edna has linked larynxes with the likes of Nana Mouskouri, Jerry Hall, Demis Roussos and Zsa Zsa Gabor on her TV shows. With her relevant resonances reverberating in every major style and trend, it is impossible to say anything about Edna's dulcet yet piercing singing voice, except that it defies any classification. 6.1 Recordings * Wild Life in Suburbia - 1958 (?) Wild Life in Suburbia Volume Two - 1959 Barry Humphries' first comedy albums, also containing monologues by Mrs Everage - the 'Migrant Hostess' sketch and others. * Housewife-Superstar ! 1976 An album of Edna's first London theatre show. * The Sound of Edna Charisma Records 1978 On the front cover which looks straight out of the Sound of Music, Edna filling in for Julie Andrews, running through the meadow with a bag and guitar, the Sydney Opera House visible in the background. Barry Humphries is Christopher Plummer, looking on in a disapproving manner. The children are the Bee Gees, Rolf Harris, Olivia Newton-John, and a kangaroo... The songs include classics from Edna's shows such as 'My Bridesmaid And I', 'Every Mother Wants a Boy Like Elton', and 'The Night We Burnt My Mother's Things'. * The Dame Edna Party Experience Epic/CBS records 1988 Among the covers Edna sings on this memorable album are: Michael Jackson's 'Bad', Chubby Checker's 'The Twist', Sonny & Cher's 'I Got You Babe' (a duet with Sir Les Patterson), Madonna's 'Like a Virgin', and the 'Neighbours' signature song. * My Gorgeous Life by Dame Edna Everage 1995 Reed Audio A 2-tape version of Edna's autobileography, read by the Dame herself. Approximately 3 hours. See also the books section. In her own words, "This tape is going to give new hope to zillions of men and women across the ethno-socio-economic board because it is the true story of one woman's journey from the kitchen sink to the corridors of power. A woman who has nonetheless remained natural, approachable and, let's face it, humble." 6.2 Radio appearances * Desert Island Discs ?? Dame Edna has appeared twice on this show, arguably the most convincing confirmation of Megastar status. Favourite records/books she mentioned: ?? * The Archers 19?? Edna did a cameo on this British radio soap series. * The Howard Stern radio show 199? Howard interviews Dame Edna. The Radio Times for 13-20 December 1996 features Edna on the cover as a hilarious festive fairy, complete with wings and magic wand - "It's a time for giving, possums !" There's also a revealing interview with the Dame by Andrew Duncan. * Dame Edna's Aural Experience 14 December 1996 BBC Radio 2 5.00 pm 60 minutes In search of warmer climes, Dame Edna whisks herself and Madge off to her fantasy island with various guests emerging from the surf, including Joanna Lumley, Shirley Bassey, Craig McLachlan, Brian Sewell, Katie Boyle, Lady Edna Healey, and Jeffrey Archer. Written by Barry Humphries and Ian Davidson. Musical director Laurie Holloway. Produced by Graham Pass. * Private Passions 28 December 1996 BBC Radio 3 ??? A musical by Dame Edna. [7] Books & other publications ================================ 7.1 by Dame Edna * Dame Edna's Coffee Table Book : a guide to gracious living (1976) * The Sound of Edna : Dame Edna's family songbook (1979) * The Dame Edna Bedside Companion (1982) * The Dame Edna Social Calendar (1989) * My Gorgeous Life (1989) The autobiography of Dame Edna Everage subtitled "the Life, the Loves, the Legend" or "An Adventure" Illustrated by John Richardson. Published by London:Macmillan This honest, revealing autobiography describes in intimate detail Edna's "journey from the kitchen sink to the corridors of power." An impartial opinion: "Dame Edna Everage: arguably the most popular and gifted woman in the world today. Housewife, investigative journalist, social anthropologist, swami, chanteuse, megastar. 7.2 by Sir Les Patterson * Les Patterson's Australia (1978) * The Traveller's Tool (1985) This book has been described as "Alive with overblown euphemisms. Expressions like 'Lonely as a bastard on father's day' and 'shift yer freckle' are prime examples of his work. The beauty of these charming little parodies on Australian slang is that they have actually worked their way into general conversation." 7.3 by Barry Humphries * Bizarre (1965) An anthology of monstrosities, edited by Humphries. Said to have inspired Yoko Ono to make her avant-garde film 'Bottoms'. * The Barry Humphries Book of Innocent Austral Verse (1968) * The Wonderful World of Barry McKenzie (1968) 'Barry McKenzie' is a comic strip which ran in the satirical British paper Private Eye, drawn by New Zealand artist Nicholas Garland and written by Humphries. * Bazza Pulls It Off! : more adventures of Barry McKenzie (1971) * Barry McKenzie Holds His Own : an original photoplay (1974) * Bazza Comes Into His Own ... (1979) * Barry Humphries' Treasury of Australian Kitsch (1980) * A Nice Night's Entertainment : sketches and monologues 1956-1981 (1981) * Punch Down Under (1984) * The Humour of Barry Humphries (1984) * The Art of Dominic Ryan, 1979-81 (1984) * The Complete Barry McKenzie (1988) Contains a foreword by Les Patterson. * The Life and Death of Sandy Stone (1990) Published by Penguin Monologues by Sandy Stone, the 'decent old man of the suburbs'. * Neglected Poems (and Other Creatures) (1991) * More Please (1992) Published by Penguin Barry Humphries' autobiography, with lots of interesting photos. Received the 1993 J. R. Ackerley Prize for Autobiography. * Women in the Background (1995) Humphries' quasi-autobiographical debut novel. 7.4 Related literature * Dame Edna Everage and the Rise of Western Civilization (1992) 'Backstage with Barry Humphries' by John Lahr Published by Flamingo / HarperCollinsPublishers A definitive portrait of Edna, this book is a real eye-opener; it sensitizes you to various undercurrents and important details that will make you appreciate the Dame's humour even more. * The Real Barry Humphries (1992) by Peter Coleman Publishers Parkwest Publications; Hodder & Stoughton Biography * Once an Australian; Journeys with Barry Humphries, Clive James, Germaine Greer and Robert Hughes. (1998) Ian Britain [8] Dame Edna - Agencies, Holdings and Cartels ================================================ The agents' addresses mentioned here are real. Please do not bother these people for trivial matters, like requests for videos or other merchandise; see section 10.2 for those. * Management/production agencies: These can be found in the latest "Who's Who" catalog under 'Barry Humphries', available from any good library. * Television show licensing: BRITE - British Independent Television Enterprises - see http://brite.tv.co.uk for more information and a catalogue. London Weekend Television London Television Centre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9LT Phone: 0171 261 3690 Fax: 0171 261 3456 Programme library contact: Jo Collerton Dame Edna, ever viable across the board, is a conglomerate; a wholly owned subsidiary of the House of Edna PLC. The main infrastructure of Edna's commercial activities consists of EdnaCare and Ednatainment Inc., Switzerland, which manages The Everage Estate. She markets her own line of face furniture, 'EdnaCraft' glasses, and of course 'EdnaDerm', an expensive skin care product. One of her Swiss mansions turned out to be built on top of a rare, priceless mineral Valium deposit, which presumably added considerably to her already impressive squillions of francs. These are just a few of Edna's countless commercial ramificiations. [9] Memorable quotes & other facts of global importance ========================================================= Dame Edna on Americans: ".. they speak English, but what are they ? Puerto Rican Eskimos !" On herself: "I was born in Melbourne with a precious gift. Dame Nature must have stooped over my little bassinet and gave me this gift. It was the ability - the priceless ability - to laugh at the misfortunes of others." On her talent for giving and sharing: "I would probably be the reincarnation of Mother Theresa except that she's still alive." On her mother: "My mother used to say that there are no strangers, only friends you haven't met yet. She's now in a maximum security twilight home in Australia." On Australia's image problem: "You mustn't judge Australia by the Australians." On the environment: "I'm into healthfoods of course. I only eat things with pictures of cottages on the packet." On history: "The Ancient Greeks, they're different: the blond, cultured ones. They all died out I'm afraid..." [10] Pointers to Dame Edna resources ====================================== 10.1 World Wide Web links * The Dame Edna On-Line Experience - home of this FAQ, with links to other Edna pages worldwide. http://www.usefuldreams.org/dameedna.html * David Martin Bruson's official "Barry Humphries Wired" pages, with lots of pictures and a special Dame Edna Gallery. http://users.aol.com/raregems * National Library of Australia, Australian Performing Arts (PROMPT) Collection - Barry Humphries section http://www.nla.gov.au/collect/prompt/barry.html * On how Dame Edna saved Windows 95 - Andrew Quested http://www.bytethis.net/switchon/edna.htm * Britcomedy Digest, an electronic newsletter on British comedies Vol. III Number 3, January 1997 contains the article "Dame Edna Everage And The Dawn Of The Third Millennium". http://www.prairienet.org/britcom/BD 10.2 Merchandise Videos of Dame Edna's shows are collector's items, and can be hard to find. You might want to start your search with the vendors listed in the excellent alt.comedy.british FAQ, available on the WWW at: http://cathouse.org:8000/BritishComedy/Info/a.c.b_FAQ.html It is also posted every two weeks to alt.comedy.british, alt.answers, and news.answers. * The 2-audio-tape set of My Gorgeous Life, read by Dame Edna herself, is available from various sources. ISBN: 1-86021-974-8 - The Storyteller Audio Bookstore http://www.audio-books.com/catalog/humor.html - INTABS Catalogue Comedy http://www.orma.co.uk/catcom.htm#everage * 'Women in the Background', Humphries' debut novel, read by the author. (3 hrs of audio tape) ISBN 186021973X Publisher: Reed - INTABS Catalogue Comedy - they have a review of the book at: http://www.orma.co.uk/talbus63.htm * 'More Please', Humphries' autobiography is also available on tape from Penguin books online. ISBN: 0140860029 - http://www.puffin.co.uk [11] Credits ============== A wealth of information was found in John Lahr's excellent book 'Dame Edna Everage and the Rise of Western Civilization', in Barry Humphries' autobiography 'More Please', on the 'Barry Humphries Wired' website, and the National Library of Australia website. For facts, phrases, and descriptions this FAQ owes thanks to: David Martin Bruson Myles Callum the Contessa de San Clemente Charles Finn Sherry Masters Erik de Neve Debbie Poe Dirk Ruder Randy Shierman Peter Stewart [12] Disclaimer ================= It is impossible to say anything about Dame Edna without using brand names. Any quotes, product names and trademarks mentioned in this documentation, including of Dame Edna and Barry Humphries, appear for identification purposes only and remain the property of their respective owners/companies. This article is provided as is without any express or implied warranties. While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this article, the author/maintainer/contributors assume(s) no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. This FAQ may not be distributed for financial gain. Permission to distribute this document, in part or full, via electronic means (e-mailed, posted or archived) or printed copy are granted providing that no charges are involved, reasonable attempt is made to use the most current version, and all credits, copyright notices and disclaimers are retained. "I think if you can't laugh at yourself you could be missing the joke of the century !" - Dame Edna, "The Megastar that won't go away" `O._ _.O' ~Ooo-.=----=.-ooO~ ~-o| /\ |o-~ `o\._/ \_,/o'