Melbourne’s theatres will pay their respects to the life and legacy of Barry Humphries by dimming their lights tonight – Thursday 27 April at 7.45pm. This time-honoured tradition is reserved only for the most influential and significant figures of the performing arts community.
Humphries was a towering figure in Melbourne’s arts industry, having performed on nearly every theatre stage in the city. The Princess, Her Majesty’s, Arts Centre Melbourne, Comedy and Athenaeum all hosted multiple seasons of his remarkable performances.
In addition, he also performed in many now-closed theatres, including Assembly Hall, the New Theatre, and the Russell Street theatre where he was an early star of the Union Theatre Repertory Company which went on to become Melbourne Theatre Company.
Humphries was also a vocal advocate for the protection of the Princess Theatre and Her Majesty’s when they were under threat of demolition during the 1980s.
Jason Marriner, CEO of Marriner Group, provided the following statement:
We celebrate the life and legacy of Barry Humphries. His iconic characters have graced (and disgraced!) our stages for his whole career, appearing at almost every theatre in Melbourne including a three-week sold-out season at the Princess in 1999 and several appearances at the Comedy Theatre in the 1960s and 1970s.
Humphries was also pre-eminent in the campaign to save Melbourne’s heritage theatres, loudly arguing to protect the Princess and Her Majesty’s from the wrecking ball. His influence can be seen and felt in every performance, and every time we walk through the theatre doors. Vale.
Image: Barry Humphries AO CBE – photo by Simon Schulter