02 Mar Farewell for now Barry!

The sign of a great performer is when they manage seamlessly to lift you out of the stresses and strains of everyday life and just for a couple of hours, transport you to a place where nothing really matters.

Through his many alter egos and guises, Barry Humphries has, I believe, a unique charm, in his ability through comedy to open up your senses to the strange and weird world we live in.

Billed as a ‘Farewell Tour’ and closing with a touchingly honest and personal out of costume chat to the audience, the Leeds performance left me marvelling at the technical skill and timing of a man who has, unbelievably, just turned 80 years of age.

Is it the end? – the irony of his final closing line of ‘Promise me you will all come to my next farewell show‘ suggested that his love of performing is unquenchable and I think we may have to put up with his satirical charm for a little while longer.

The fact that we were entrusted by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions to produce the programme and supporting promo literature for the tour and that we were enormously proud to oblige, should go without saying, but I wouldn’t be fair to sign off without letting you know ‘possums’.

You can catch Barry Humphries’ ‘final’ UK performances at Manchester Opera House between, 4-8 March.