Entertainer Barry Humphries, who brought to life the characters Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, died at the age of 89 on 22 April 2023. Source: AAP / Tracey Nearmy

'We did not cancel him': Comedy festival to honour complicated legacy of Barry Humphries

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival removed the comedian's name from one of its key awards in 2019 due to comments he made about the transgender community.

Published 25 April 2023 2:36pm
By Jessica Bahr

KEY POINTS

• Melbourne International Comedy Festival organisers say they plan to honour the legacy of Barry Humphries.
• The comedian, who was best known for the character Dame Edna Everage, died on 22 April aged 89.
• He had become a controversial figure in recent years over comments he made about transgender people.

Organisers of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival say they are taking time to consider an appropriate tribute for comedian Barry Humphries, who died on 22 April aged 89.

Humphries was best known for his characters Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, and was one of the key founders of the festival.

In 2019, his name was removed from one of the event's key awards following comments he had made about transgender people and, earlier this week, media outlets reported the festival would not be honouring the late comedian.

Organisers say this is not accurate.

"We are taken aback by some of the misconceptions currently circulating in media and on social media," festival director Susan Provan said.

"We were extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Barry Humphries on Saturday night, but with over 300 shows to stage on Sunday the show had to go on.

"We acknowledge that he deserves an appropriate tribute, we will now take time to consider what that might be."

What happened with Barry Humphries and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival?

In 2019, the name of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival's top award was changed from the Barry to the Most Outstanding show.

Organisers said it was partially due to transphobic comments made by Humphries.

He had referred to being transgender as a "fashion" being "preached to children by crazy teachers". In 2016, he described gender reassignment surgery as "self-mutilation".

Celebrated Australian entertainer Barry Humphries has died at the age of 89. Credit: Yui Mok/AP

Following Humphries' death, British-Australian actor Miriam Margolyes told ABC News the festival organisers had "cancelled" her friend.

"How dare they. He had more talent in his little finger than they did in their whole bodies - all of them," she said.

"I'm outraged by it and I want to speak up now to support him. It's not about transgender (issues) ... this was an artist."

argolyes said she did not agree with Humphries' politics, but revered him as a friend and comedian.

"I didn't like his politics. I really didn't. But I revere the talent of the man," she said.

Ms Provan said Mr Humphries' comments had "lacked empathy" and "baffled" many in the industry.

She said the award had been renamed to reinforce the value of equality and diversity.

"We did not cancel him," she said.

"Some of the values Barry espoused in later years did not reflect more contemporary industry values."

Ms Provan said the festival would acknowledge Humphries' contributions to the industry and his role in raising the profile of the festival.

"We can still celebrate Barry’s artistic genius while not much liking some of his views," she said.

"Provocation in the world of comedy lives on."

How do we honour public figures with problematic histories?

Humphries is not the first celebrity with a controversial legacy, nor will he be the last.

The death of basketballer Kobe Bryant in 2020 triggered celebrations of his achievements, but also discussions of rape allegations from 2003.

Pablo Picasso was one of the most renowned and influential artists of the 20th century, but has been criticised for his treatment and depictions of women, and described as a womaniser and misogynist.

These deaths have sparked conversations about how to acknowledge the life of a public figure who has made immense contributions in some ways, but caused harm in other ways.

LGBTIQ+ Australians seeking support with mental health can contact QLife on 1800 184 527 or visit qlife.org.au. ReachOut.com also has a list of support services.

Intersex Australians seeking support can visit Intersex Peer Support Australia at isupport.org.au.

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