The Melbourne International Comedy Festival has come below fireplace “as truly pathetic” after saying it’s working a tribute to honour Barry Humphries, regardless of axing an award in his honour.
Humphries was one of many founders of the competition, however in 2019 the competition stripped his title from its main award for greatest present following a furore over feedback Humphries made about transgender being a “fashion” the 12 months earlier than.
Humphries, world well-known for his characters Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, died in Sydney final Saturday, aged 89.
It was the ultimate weekend for the competition, however he no tribute was made. However, on Monday evening the competition tweeted work was being finished on a tribute.
It posted a brief assertion on its web site, they had been saddened by the passing of the comedian legend,
“He will be remembered by legions of fans around the world for his wit, inimitable characters and biting satire,” the put up mentioned.
On Monday, the competition tweeted it was engaged on a tribute to Humphries,
“The news of Barry Humphries’ passing in the last 24 hours of the ’23 Fest was momentous,” the tweet mentioned.
“From today we re-group and start to plan a fitting tribute to his comic genius and leading role in creating a global platform for Australian comedy.”
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford described the announcement as “truly pathetic”.
“What a truly pathetic move. You people should be ashamed of yourselves.” Ford tweeted.
https://twitter.com/mrpford/standing/1650442526422351873
Earlier, Miriam Margolyes lashed the competition for its remedy of Humphries, saying her fried had been ‘deeply hurt’ by their motion 5 yeas in the past.
“I don’t think he was properly appreciated by Australia. I don’t think he was properly treated, particularly by the Melbourne festival who cancelled him rather late in life,’ she told the ABC.
“He had more talent in his little finger than they did in their whole bodies all of them. I’m outraged by it.”
Comedian Sammy J, a board member concerned within the vote to rename the award, wrote in The Age that the competition had to select over Humphries’ feedback that transgender individuals had been performing acts of “self mutilation”, and transition journeys had been “a fashion”.
“Faced with hurting the feelings of an established legend with a global platform or ignoring and excluding members of a vulnerable community, it chose the former,” he wrote.
“Arts festivals only exist if there are artists. And artists only take part in festivals they feel welcome at. Can you imagine being a trans comedian nominated for an award named after someone who’d wilfully torn down your sense of worth?”
Sammy J posted a person tribute to Humphries on his Instagram.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
