Good news, possums. Dame Edna Everage is coming out of retirement.
The grand dame of theatre announced her surprise Australian tour - which kicked off in Canberra this week - with a video to her fans.
It's been six years since Dame Edna announced her retirement, a move the self-proclaimed gigastar blamed on her "failed actor and attention seeker" manager Barry Humphries. Now, in her own words, she is "reborn, fit as a fiddle, and rid of the leech who tormented me for so long".
"Welcome to the new Edna, reborn and this new chapter in my gorgeous life is based on a true story," she said.
The housewife from Moonee Ponds really has had a gorgeous life so it seems apt that is what she's called her latest show. "So, Possums, please do come and say hello to me. It would be lovely to see your faces again."
"One of the reasons I am adored pretty much worldwide is that I've always told you the truth; mostly the truth about yourselves, and even sometimes about me," Dame Edna said.
"However this is an apology. It's an apology for once telling you a wicked fib: a porkie, a cruel deceitful lie.
"I told you I had retired. That was a few years ago and when my announcement got around the globe a lot of people 'freaked out' to employ a phrase I never use. Some people actually lost the will to live. Some even self-harmed!"
While every star had to make allowances for minor acts of embezzlement, she said, Humphries had his hand in the till up to his armpit.
"My new team of advisors said I should close down all my companies, even my charitable foundation Friends of the Prostate, and re-start my career on a clean page," Dame Edna said.
"That's what I'm doing. That explains my so-called 'retirement' and withdrawal from public life."
Since Edna first appeared on stage as purple-rinsed Melbourne housewife Mrs Edna Everage, Dame Edna has toured Europe, the US and the Middle East, picking up a Tony Award for the 2000 Broadway production Dame Edna, The Royal Tour and a Tony nomination in 2004 for Back with a Vengeance.
Dame Edna, My Gorgeous Life tour dates
- SYDNEY: Darling Harbour Theatre, ICC Sydney, September 28, 29 and October 5
- BRISBANE: Concert Hall, QPAC, October 1, 2
- ADELAIDE: Adelaide Convention Centre, October 9, 10
- GEELONG: Deakin's Costa Hall, October 12,13
- NEWCASTLE: Civic Theatre, October 17-19
- MELBOURNE: State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne, October 23-27
- PERTH: Riverside Theatre, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, October 30
- SYDNEY: Coliseum Theatre West HQ, December 18, 19
For tickets click HERE
