Dame Edna Everage and the Rise of Western Civilization: Backstage With Barry Humphries [Paperback]

John Lahr (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0756766206 | ISBN-13: 978-0756766207 | Publication Date: March 2000

In 1989 the author spent a month in the wings of the Theatre Royal watching Barry Humphries perform as Dame Edna Everage. What emerges is an account of the act and a portrait of the comedian and his art. John Lahr is the author of "Prick Up Your Ears".

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Since 1969 Lahr has continued writing about show business with the sensitivity and informed views that marked his debut in Notes on a Cowardly Lion, his biography of his father, comic Bert Lahr. As theater critic for British Vogue , the author first recognized the talents of Australian Humphries, aka "Dame Edna," risen from suburban housewife to world star on stage and TV. The "lady" appears in hideously chic costumes before SRO audiences eager to be insulted and to hear her dirty jokes. Lahr also examines Humphries's other persona, Sir Les Patterson, the crude and priapic Australian cultural attache who features his big genitals in his performances. Observing Humphries close-up, Lahr explores the comic's history and finds the roots of his satiric genius in his outrage at the pervasive phoniness in society, which he targets with the strongest weapon: laughter. Sections of this excellent biography were published in the New Yorker .
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A brilliantly dramatic evocation." -- George Melly, Sunday Telegraph

"A fascinating book, a worthy tribute to one of the few true comic geniuses of our generation." -- John Wells, Sunday Express

"Lahr has now immortalized Barry Humphries. . . . An exhilarating and highly intelligent book, full of laughs." -- Michael Davie, Spectator --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 242 pages
• Publisher: Diane Pub Co (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756766206
• ISBN-13: 978-0756766207
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,590,169 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly brilliant - a fascinating glimpse of theatre., December 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Dame Edna Everage and the Rise of Western Civilization: Backstage With Barry Humphries (Hardcover)

John Lahr writes with such care for his subjects and this book is no exception. Reading this book is like standing next to Barry Humphries as he is preparing to go on stage. It also gives a good background of Humphries' work from its earliest days. Quirky, humorous and consistently engaging.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There's nothing like her...or him!, June 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Dame Edna Everage and the Rise of Western Civilisation: Backstage with Barry Humphries (Paperback)

This book is an amazing tale of an amazing man. If you've ever seen Dame Edna live or on T.V. you know she's a hoot. This well-written bio of her creator, Barry Humpheries, is truly fascinating. It actually had me laughing out loud time after time. He's a brilliant man who's carved a truly unique place for himself in the world of clowns.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dame Edna: National icon, July 28, 2003

By 

Australian reader (Perth, Western Australia Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dame Edna Everage and the Rise of Western Civilisation: Backstage with Barry Humphries (Paperback)

Put the words "Barry Humphries: Living National Treasure" before the title above this review and you will have my full intended heading. Thank you.

For anyone who is a fan of Humphries and his characters this book provides a detailed insight into the creative force and intellect that has produced the best comedy theatre in the world.

For any of the new American fans of Dame Edna, this book may go some way towards filling in what you have been missing out on since Edna Everage made her quiet and unassuming debut in Australia nearly 50 years ago.

Humphries' heavy touring schedule in the US is your gain, and our loss. If you haven't seen the show, do whatever it takes to see this man and his characters on stage. I have never seen theatre which could have an entire audience bent over in laughter, tears pouring down their faces, at the mere sight of a character walking across the stage - Sir Les Patterson - and then reduced to total silence, shedding noiseless tears as Sandy Stone quietly mourned the loss of a treasured lemon tree.

This book has opened my eyes to so many other reasons why we find Barry Humphries' characters funny. It is as incisive an examination of the man and the art as one could hope to find.