Dame Edna 2010 News Review

Happy New Year, Possums!

You little darlings! Are you making any resolutions? Reviewing the year gone-by?

The media are, of course, all taking a look back over the year, and bringing in all manner of experts to help them with the task. The BBC's Today programme, with guest editor Colin Firth at the helm, did just that on Tuesday. And who better to invite to look over the past 12 months than a woman who is friend, confidant, and advisor to the world's most powerful and influential people - Dame Edna Everage?

And so we were treated to a most illuminating exchange between Dame Edna and John Humphries, learning, amongst other things, that Edna was involved in setting up the current political coalition governing the United Kingdom, arranging the upcoming royal wedding, and in saving the Chilean miners. It's all in a day's work for a glittering gigastar!

In case you missed it, you can listen to it here:

BBC News - Dame Edna: "Politics Is Not My Bag!"

Dame Edna Christmas Eve Treats!

Oh Possums!

Isn't it exciting?! It's almost time to see what Santa has for you in his bulging sack! How gorgeous!

But until that big moment, here are the last two segments of Dame Edna's gorgeous Christmas show from her Dame Edna Experience series. Caring and sharing to put you in the holiday spirit!

Dame Edna's Christmas Experience #3

What can make you feel more festive than a glittering glimpse of a gigastar? For your Christmas enjoyment, here is part three of our seasonal celebration, Edna-style...

Dame Edna Christmas Experience #2

You little darlings! Here is your second Dame Edna Chrissie Cracker...

The Dame Edna Christmas Experience!

Bonza Chrissie, Possums!

Here's the first segment of Dame Edna's gorgeous and legendary Christmas TV spectacular. Hope it thrills and fills your heart with seasonal megastar magic! And you lucky little non-entities, there'll be more of this in the days to come...!

Dame Edna Rocks!

Hello Possums!

Are you feeling festive? Lord knows, it's a time for giving, and there's no-one in the world who does more for charity than Dame Edna Everage. As chairwoman of "Friends of the Prostate" and the "Prostate Olympics", she's a shining example of lending a hand whenever needed!

And so we're thrilled to announce that she'll be appearing on TV this Sunday as part of the Prince's Trust Rock Gala 2010, along with such luminaries as Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Jools Holland, Tom Jones, Paloma Faith, Midge Ure, Mike & The Mechanics, Mark King and Status Quo. Isn't that gorgeous?!

Don't miss it, Possums! Quicksticks! Mark your diaries and settle in for a glittering night of entertainment!

Dame Edna and John Humphrys!

Hello darlings!

Are you feeling festive? What are you planning for the Chrissie season?

One thing you won't want to miss will be the guest editors on BBC Radio Four's "Today" programme between Chrissie and New Year! "Why is that?", I hear you cry.

The reason is, of course, that Dame Edna will be on the air to fill our hearts with megastar magic! Gorgeous little Colin Firth is going to be the guest editor on 28th December, and one of the things he is planning is to reunite Today presenter John Humphrys with the world's favourite Australian icon, Dame Edna Everage.

You'll recall that the last time John spoke to Dame Edna on the air, they were discussing the possibility of Edna working with John as a co-presenter. She pointed out, however, that John might have some difficulty with this as he obviously finds her too stimulating, and his concentration might suffer as a result! Well, you can understand...

Whatever the result, we know that on the 28th the programme will be glittering and gorgeous if Dame Edna is on the air. Don't miss it, Possums!

Dame Edna and a Nude Sean Connery!

Hello Possums!

The BBC have just reported on the discovery of a nude painting of the gorgeous Sean Connery, created in 1951 when he was life model for Edinburgh art students. This was of course long before the days of 007 and his huge success as an esteemed actor, and comes as quite a surprise to many of his fans!


But Dame Edna's army of loyal fans around the globe have known about his modelling days for decades! The gorgeous little Sean was, of course, a guest on her pivotal and ground-breaking talk show "The Dame Edna Experience", and Edna probed deeply during her interview with the world's favourite super-spy, getting to the naked truth in no time!!! She really did have her finger on the pulse...





She's truly a woman of glittering global influence and power! Who else could get Sir Sean to admit to his naked past with such good taste and style?

Dame Edna on Loose Women

Darlings!

Did you catch Dame Edna on Loose Women, Possums? The world's most popular and influential woman graced the show with her gigastar presence, and wondered if the words 'seminal' and 'pivotal' were too long for the Loose Women audience:

Dame Edna and Frank Sinatra!

Oh Possums!

With the UK launch of "Handling Edna", Dame Edna and Barry Humphries have both been at the forefront of all aspects of the UK media these past few weeks, and more than a few revelations have been bubbling to the surface!

Perhaps most shocking is the fact that Edna's son Kenny is quite probably Frank Sinatra's lovechild! Goodness me, Possums! Could it be? Check out this clip from the BBC's "The One Show":





As her manager, Barry Humphries has been promoting the book everywhere, trying desperately to boost sales before Dame Edna's legal suit forces the book to be taken from stores and pulped. In fact, Barry says that fans should buy numerous copies, because if this happens, the book will be a collectors' items! Sounds like good advice!!!

Dame Edna has also recently conducted a Twinterview for Waterstones, during which we learned that she's in talks to make a film called "Slumdog Megastar", set in London's East End. It seems that Barry's tell-all book can't hold back the world's most popular and sought after woman. She's an international phenomenon that just can't be stopped!

And thank goodness for that!

Dame Edna and the Pope - Soon a Saint?

Hello Possums!

It's been a busy ole time in the whirling world of our favourite glittering gigastar!

Most recently, she's been the featured guest on BBC One's "The One Show" , dismissing and downplaying Barry Humphries' new book "Handling Edna", which apparently makes a few claims that Edna is not too pleased about.

During her interview, she also let slip that she's having dinner with the Pope during his visit to the UK. Of course we're not surprised that Dame Edna and the Pope are good friends...she's the confidante and advisor to the world's most powerful leaders. In fact, we've heard that little Benny (that's what she likes to call him!) pesters her day and night for spiritual advice.

She also tries to offer him some fashion tips, because she's doesn't like the idea of a man wearing a frock. In fact, she thinks it's a little bit yucky!

And for all this assistance over the years, we're told that a Sainthood is in the pipeline for Dame Edna! Isn't that gorgeous?!

But we know that you're dying to find out more about "Handling Edna", so here's Barry to give you the scoop:



Want to find out more? Then quicksticks! Get your tickets for Barry's talk at the V&A, or go to his signing at Hatchards Books. The world can't wait to read this book!!!

Dame Edna and Zsa Zsa Gabor!

Oh darlings! Or should that be "dahlinks"?

With recent press reports that the gorgeous Zsa Zsa Gabor has been unwell, we thought it would be wonderful to wish her well by revisiting Dame Edna's landmark interview with Hungary's most glittering export.

I think her advice (at the end of the clip) for young people getting married is truly a philosophy to live by. Call me old fashioned, but I do!

New Dame Edna Banknote!

You little darlings!

Following the withdrawal of the Elgar £20 notes in the UK, I thought you'd like to see the new design being considered. Something tells me that Lillibet will approve! It's simply gorgeous, and isn't it nice to have a dignified and regal face on our banknotes? Call me old-fashioned, but it is!


PS...for more Photoshop fun and high jinks, Possums, visit Freaking News...

Dame Edna in Ken Fallin's New Broadway Tribute!

Hello, Darlings!

We wanted you to see a gorgeous new Broadway illustration by artist Ken Fallin. To celebrate the Tony Awards and the most memorable performances of the year, Mr Fallin has created a fabulous work featuring some of the glittering stars of the Broadway stage in 2009-2010, including of course, our dazzling Dame Edna Everage.

Dame Edna was, as you know, back on the Broadway stage this year in her fabulous show "All About Me" with Michael Feinstein.

We feel sure that the good people at the Tonys begged Dame Edna to accept an award this year. She no doubt declined, and probably said "Give it to Catherine Zeta-Jones, she needs the publicity. And after all, just recently in the Queen's Birthday Honours list, she was only given a little CBE, the darling little mite! My friend at the palace (I can't say exactly who...I'll just say Lillibet...) awarded me something much, much more important many years ago. Wouldn't it be nice for Catherine to get the Tony? Call me old-fashioned, but it would!"

But that's our gorgeous Edna for you - always thinking about the misfortunes of others...

Farewell Rue McClanahan!

Oh Possums!

We're so sorry to say farewell to the wonderful Rue McClanahan! She was truly a Gorgeous Golden Girl, and brought joy and laughter to millions the world over.

It's no surprise that this glittering star was a guest on "Dame Edna's Hollywood" in the 90s, and in tribute, we thought if would be fun to bring you a clip from her visit to Edna's Hollywood mansion:

Dame Edna and Sir Cliff Richard!

Hello Possums!

It's the start of a gorgeous Bank Holiday weekend, and so we thought the best way to kick off the (hopefully!) summery long break would be to enjoy a fun little video of Dame Edna with the original star of 'Summer Holiday', Sir Cliff Richard!

Enjoy, my darlings!

Dame Edna Mother's Day Treat!

Hello Darlings!

It's 'Mother's Day' in North America, so for our gorgeous Possums across the ocean, here's a little Dame Edna musical tribute to motherhood, featuring the woman who is surely the world's most famous mother and Housewife/Megastar:

Dame Edna Book in the UK!

Hello Possums!

My darlings, we're quivering with excitement! Barry Humphries' new book 'Handling Edna' is now available for pre-order in the UK! In October we brought you news of the book's release down-under, with an extract and interview with the great man himself.

And now it's possible for us to secure our copy, and add it to the other great titles on our bookshelves including 'My Gorgeous Life' and 'Dame Edna's Bedside Companion'. How fabulous!

And what delicious Dame details await us? Based on the Amazon description, we suspect that Edna may not be terribly pleased with her manager Barry:

In this unauthorised biography of Dame Edna Everage, acquired for an unprecedented advance and in spectacular secrecy, her long-time manager and the man who was there from the very beginning, Barry Humphries, takes a behind-the-scenes, no-holds-barred look at an icon of our times. Superstar, swami, confidante and advisor to royalty, Hollywood stars and international political leaders, Dame Edna's life has catapulted her from her humble Moonee Ponds beginnings as a suburban housewife to the most elite social and artistic circles in the world. Who would have thought that this modest Australian woman could achieve so much from London to Louisiana to New York to Tokyo? Who could have anticipated her global fame? Barry Humphries certainly didn't.

Dame Edna will not like this book but Barry knows everything - the who, the why and the where - and in this much-anticipated work he will, for the first time, reveal all. This exhaustively researched account of Edna's roller-coaster life will surely dominate the bestsellers lists. Essential reading for scholars, female achievers, fans of Dame Edna and those who feel that behind the fairytale career lies a darker and more sinister story.

Quicksticks! You can pre-order here:

Dame Edna: Farewell Broadway, Hello White House!

Oh Possums!

It's with a joyous heart we reveal that as Dame Edna finishes her recent run on Broadway, she may now be setting her sights on the top job in the USA.

Her 'manager' Barry Humphries explains to Playbill.com:

I'm giving you an absolute exclusive: Edna intends to run for office in the United States of America. It will be the first time you've ever had, well, an Australian president... There is a way. I'm talking to lawyers, international lawyers as it is.

There's no doubt that in these trying times, we all need her caring and sharing in the upper echelons of power, and wouldn't the Oval Office look gorgeous with vases of gladioli all around? Call me old-fashioned, Possums, but I think it would!

Video Clips of Dame Edna's "All About Me"

Darlings! A gorgeous little treat for your weekend viewing:

Dame Edna's Red Carpet Opening Night

Hello Possums!

Dame Edna has always said that she loves a warm hand on her opening! What woman doesn't?

And last Thursday, she was warmly welcomed back to New York by the creme de la creme of Broadway royalty, including Liza Minnelli, Celeste Holm, Joel Grey, and Elaine Stritch, among others, on the opening night of "All About Me". How gorgeous!

Check out all the Broadwayworld.com pictures here, darlings:

All About Me - Red Carpet Arrivals

All About Me - Curtain Call

All About Me - Backstage with the Dame

All About Me - Photo by Joan Marcus

Bloggers and reviewers alike agree that Dame Edna is on glittering Gigastar form in the show! She's clearly a woman at the height of her powers, with all her drives and her juices flowing!!! Here are just some of the adoring comments her audience shared with their readers:


Shelley Ackerman tells us that "...this is a rare opportunity to see a theatrical genius at work."

Variety declared "...it's a joy to have Dame Edna Everage back on Broadway...Barry Humphries' monstrously funny incarnation of an Australian housewife run amok on fame and flattery still retains its savage wit."

The New York Post reports "It's great to have Dame Edna Everage back in town...Edna is her usual giddy, flighty self. By now, Humphries so thoroughly inhabits her that when Edna said she was lactating, my first thought was, 'She can't be -- she's too old'....you can't go wrong with Edna!"

The New York Times reveals "And I would never trade the memory of having seen Dame Edna crash her way through Beyonce's “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (with the backup dancers Gregory Butler and Jon-Paul Mateo) More surprisingly, after declaring the theater a 'Stephen Sondheim-free zone,' Dame Edna delivers her own version of that composer’s 'Ladies Who Lunch,' and it’s terrific. She uses the fear and anger that are part of any comedian’s makeup to turn an overperformed song into a funny, aggressive and bizarrely affecting acknowledgment of mortality."

(see the 'Single Ladies' number here!)

And some of the New York Times readers had this to say:

"Dame Edna is outrageous, and I had no idea as to what a physical comediene she is. She performs two numbers that brought tears to my eyes I laughed so hard."

"Dame Edna was in hilarious form, current and absolutely hysterical. There were great songs that we all know, really clever new songs written and performed with tongues in cheek and full of comedy - it was really, honestly a fun night out! Also...Dame Edna's "The Ladies who Lunch" is a theatrical highlight of the year - in any theatre."

"Edna's new material ("Single Ladies", "Ladies Who Lunch", and her topical jibes at Angela Lansbury, David Paterson et al.) are some of her funniest ever."

"Dame Edna's solo 15-20 minutes are so funny I cried. Her performance of Beyonce's 'All the Single ladies' is hilarious."

Dame Edna in Vanity Fair April 2010!

Hello Possums!

Gorgeous news today from New York City and the Great White Way!

Dame Edna's fabulous new Broadway show "All About Me" is currently in previews, and all manner of glittering gigastar publicity is coming our way.

First of all, darlings, you must dash out (quicksticks!!!) and buy the April edition of Vanity Fair, because Dame Edna, Michael Feinstein and Barry Humphries are featured in a marvelous photograph, with comment by David Hyde Pierce. Check it out here!

Next, we've discovered a brand new website promoting the show, and the latest addition to the megastar material it features is a collection of new photographs of Edna in action.

It's clear that her son Kenny has outdone himself this time with the fabulous frocks (as Edna has always said, he's obviously a man's man...), and with an outrageous nod to her famous Sydney Opera House hat from years gone by, she's sporting a spectacular new Opera House dress in the show that truly makes her a dazzling dame! Click here to see the entire album of shots.

The official opening night is next Thursday, March 18th! Be sure to check back for all the news and reviews! And get in touch if you've seen the show, darlings, and we'll share your thoughts and gladis with everyone!

New Dame Edna Videos - "All About Me!"

Hello Possums!

Darlings! It's so exciting! Dame Edna's new Broadway show "All About Me" with Michael Feinstein is now in previews, and will officially open on the 18th of March.

It goes without saying that Dame Edna will have perfected her numbers weeks ago, and the previews are probably being used so that she can help little Michael get his right. After all, as she very modestly noted, Americans have taken Dame Edna to their heart, thrown Tony awards at her, but Michael has only had....what's that thing that's much, much less than a Tony?....oh, yes, an Emmy....he's had that....

And so to whet your little non-entity appetites, here are two gorgeous videos to enjoy while we await the big opening night. The first is from the show's official website, and the second is from Broadwaystars.com. Enjoy!








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You little darlings!

Non-entities the world over can now join us on Facebook! Keep up with the latest on both Dame Edna and gorgeous impersonator Simon Whitehouse via the world's favourite social networking site. Quicksticks, Possums! Become a fan:

The Untamed Edna Experience on Facebook

Dame Edna Show News!

Gladioli greetings, you little darlings!

The excitement grows this week, with more news about the upcoming Dame Edna / Michael Feinstein Broadway show "All About Me"!


First, the show announced a publicity contest to find an honorary understudy for Dame Edna. Rather confusingly, it appeared that the understudy wannabes were mostly men! Now call me old-fashioned, possums, but I find the idea of men dressing up as women a little bit yucky...a little bit uncalled for. I'm sorry, but I do!

Despite this, guest media judges and even Edna's manager, Barry Humphries, gathered in New York to score the contestants on their make-up, costume, accent, and general Dame-like demeanor. Check out the results and video on the NY1 newschannel website.

(A gorgeous reader alerted us to the fun in advance (thanks, Diana!), and what a shame this glittering gathering didn't take place in London, darlings! As non-entities across the UK can attest, our very own Simon would have fit in brilliantly with this merry megastar line-up!)

Later in the week, it was revealed on Playbill.com that two different Playbill covers would be created for the show (one featuring Edna and the other with Michael), and both will be available to the audience each night.

We know that everyone will be clamouring for the cover with an image of the world's most famous and influential woman! Such a shame - one suspects that Michael's programs might be a little neglected. But I mean that nicely, possums! I really do!


Finally, we have discovered the official website for the show! Quicksticks - click here!!! You'll find all the news, images, and even the latest blog entries from the stars. Dame Edna revealed in her first entry:

"Rehearsals going wonderfully well! I don’t attend them but I’ve been phoning in and they tell me things are going beautifully."

Dame Edna's "All About Me" Press Launch

Oh Possums!

The news this week is so exciting!



On February 1st, Dame Edna and Michael Feinstein launched their new show "All About Me" to the press and the world.

Following the original "dispute" about their rival shows and titles, they've now come together to create a show that will undoubtedly mark a watershed in showbiz history, and arguably, be the highlight of most people's lives.

Michael Feinstein & Dame Edna - BroadwayWorld.com

The evening will be a glittering mix of music and mirth (and fabulous frocks!), fuelled by a bit of good-willed competitive spirit. Playbill.com reports that Dame Edna revealed:

'....there have been a few little rough patches in their double-harnessed Journey to Broadway. “Catfight, I think, is trivializing it,” opted the dame, who suggested that lionfight would be closer to the mark.'

But she generously added that she :

'...saw no reason why she wouldn’t make beautiful music with Feinstein. “He is an exponent of The Great American Songbook, and I am the exponent of The Great Australian Songbook,” she reasoned. “The Great Australian Songbook is wonderful. It differs from The Great American Songbook in one respect: It’s thinner. In fact, it’s almost a pamphlet. There are lovely, lovely songs in it — ‘Waltzing Matilda,’ ‘The Dingo Ate My Baby,’ beautiful songs.” '

Dame Edna also observes that Michael is :

'...a shy person. But he won't have to stand back....too far....he can just stand in the shadows. That will be enough.'

Ok, so they perhaps haven't quite ironed out their rivalry, as you'll see in this clip from Broadway.com:



For all the exciting Dame Edna details, simply click on the links, you little minx!!!

Broadway.com - The Royal Me

Playbill.com - Dame Edna vs Michael Feinstein

Broadway.tv - All About Me Exposed to the Press

BroadwayWorld.com - Photo Coverage

Happy Dame Edna New Year, New Show, New Book!

Hello Possums!

Happy New Year, you little darlings!

You've been wondering where I've been, haven't you? I'm so sorry that it's been some time since the last entry, but The Untamed Edna Experience office is now geared up again to bring you all of the gorgeous glittering gigastar news for 2010.

And what a year it promises to be, Possums! In the coming months, your dull little non-entity lives will be lit up with news of the UK launch of Barry Humphries' new book "Handling Edna", as well as Dame Edna's fabulous new Broadway Show with Michael Feinstein called "All About Me", due to open this spring. The megastar magic continues!!!

But first, news of a fabulous London artist, and a recent show featuring his paintings of the world's most talented and celebrated gigastar. Artist John Walter was in the spotlight at the east London gallery "The Nunnery" in January, and the works on display included his gorgeous take on our favourite international style icon:

Dame Edna Everage by John Walter

The show may be over, but the glamour goes on, so quicksticks, check out his site to see more of his work and to make enquiries.

Happy New Year, my darlings! Here's to a delicious new Dame Edna decade!!!