Barry Humphries was, indubitably, an international star

PARADOXICALLY, alcoholism proved to be the turning point of his career.

In Melbourne, 1970, after a protracted drinking binge, Humphries was found bashed and lying unconscious in a gutter.

Appearing in court, he was charged with being drunk and disorderly.

A sensible magistrate adjourned the case for six months, ordering charges be withdrawn if there were no further “incidents”.

Humphries’ parents then booked him into a private hospital specialising in alcoholism.

For more than 10 years Humphries had started the day with a “grappling hook” – brandy and port.

On his release from hospital, he joined AA and became an abstainer. He never drank again, and became one of the great comedians and satirists of his age.

Emboldened with his Australian success, Humphries went to live in England. Fame proved elusive. Critics were dismissive in humiliating reviews.

He became a self-described “dissolute, guilt-ridden, self-pitying boozer”. Friends and family became worried about his dependence on alcohol.

Years later, when London success arrived, he was acclaimed as the greatest one-man showman since Charles Dickens, and perhaps in the history of theatre.

Back in Australia, the late Harry M Miller recognised and believed in Humphries’ considerable talent. Where other producer flinched, Miller seized the chance.

A Load of Olde Stuffe proved a success on every level. It was the beginning of his commercialisation, and the first step to lasting, international success.

The show opened at Harry M Miller’s Playbox Theatre, Sydney, 15 April 1971, and at the Melbourne Playbox Theatre, Exhibition Street, on 6 August.

Written entirely by Humphries, the show featured Surfie, Sandy Stone, Edna Everage and Rex Lear – several of whom disappeared with time.

Only Dame Edna, Sandy Stone, and Sir Les Patterson survived.

Creatively, A Load of Olde Stuffe was one of the best of all the Humphries’ shows. The piece was born of a turbulent time in the actor’s life.

He was determined to make this opportunity a creative triumph. He applied himself, assiduously.

Such was his Melbourne success the show transferred to the Comedy Theatre. Tickets, priced at $3.50, and $2.40 for a group booking, were at a premium!

For all the access over the years, I was not a friend of Barry Humphries. I was a professional colleague, able to satisfy a particular role in his life, at several given times.

Many will write chronologically about his illustrious career, the narrative of which he controlled, cleverly. With time, fact and fiction have become clouded to suit the occasion.

For my part, I was privileged to sit in his dressing room – eight performances a week – and watch the intriguing transformation of Barry into Edna.

I never tired of listening. His eye was sharp, and his humour observational. He noticed every idiosyncratic nuance of other people. He commented and questioned. He viewed the world through a complex and creative prism. Nothing escaped his attention.

He was a perfectionist. I doubt you could have such a career today.

When, in 2012, he announced his last major tour starring Dame Edna, I went along to a matinee at His Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne.

Having been with him at his renaissance, I wanted to experience the finale, and not so much for Dame Edna, but more to see Sandy Stone for one last time. Always, I stood in the wings, watching as Humphries weaved the magic of the old man. It was a masterclass.

At the end of the show I went backstage to see him. On this occasion, he did to me what I had seen him do, in the past, to others. He told the theatre manager he did not want to meet with me.

While I was disappointed, I was not shocked. It is part of what made Barry Humphries a star. I had been gifted more than my fair share of his time and unique, creative energy. While, always, there was a public recognition, I no longer served a specific purpose.

With hindsight, and mindful of his passing, I am truly grateful I was allowed to know him, and to have been a minor part of the extraordinary life of John Barry Humphries AO CBE – 17 February 1934 to 22 April 2023.