Barry Humphries

Barry Humphries died not long back. Although not having seen a lot of his performing, I was somewhat downcast when I heard the news.

I have been thinking about it since, in the wake of the well-deserved tributes and brief clips of his characters. He certainly touched a lot of people and was a remarkable talent.

I wondered what it’s like, though, to be best known for not being yourself, to be most recognised as an alter ego, to be slightly unfamiliar to the public in your own face. That is, to a degree, the lot of a performer—particularly one as long-standing and convincing as Humphries—and, I have a suspicion he liked it that way.

But what about us in our daily lives? I’m not sure the same applies. I think, perhaps, it’s best for us, or for me at least, to be known for being ourselves. Sure, there are roles we play, masks we don at times, and these are vital for so many reasons but, having thought about Dame Edna and the others, and not being in a career that demands the complete shifting in and out of character, I think I will aim for my overriding, rememberable persona to be simply me.

Food for my thoughts today.

Until later,

Kirsten