There is Nothin’ Like a Dame
Dame eDNa ThaT Is!
Delightfully charming and world-renowned Dame eDna is quite something. If you believe in the power
of laughter… you have to believe in Dame Edna. This simple housewife came upon the scene in the late-1950s
as her intercontinental look and down-under attitude took the world by storm. Dame Edna is an experience.
With her regal grace, stunning lilac-colored hair and signature glasses, she is quite simply a national treasure.
In my days as a writer, I have had the extreme pleasure of having Liza Minnelli sing to me on the phone,
Shirley MacLaine explain the genius of choreographer Bob Fosse and Ann-Margret talk to me about meeting
Marilyn Monroe. Yet, in all my interviews with entertainers so far… I have never had an experience like this one
with Dame Edna. She obviously did some research on “moi” or she is truly psychic. You be the judge.
by bill biss
Rage: Hi Dame Edna! across the footlights from Toronto to Dallas to… I’m talking
Dame Edna: Hello Bill. First of all, let me tell you. It’s the first about the whole of America now. I cannot believe. I see those
time I’ve ever been to San Diego. people standing and cheering and I think, “Is this a dream?”
It’s a beautiful one.
Rage: Oh wonderful.
DE: I had an opportunity a decade ago to come to the Rage: Why are you calling this tour “My First Last Tour?”
states. I reached a sort of point in my career… I’d been DE: I called it sort of a silly name really because I will be
recently widowed. I didn’t know where I was going or what I touring again but it gets increasingly tiring. Of course, I am
was doing. I called my friend Joan Rivers. I said, “What should not in need of the money. I do it because I love it! Above all
I do, Joan?” She said, “Go to the states. You’ve got a big fan Bill, I do it because America needs me. It needs me more
base. I said, “I don’t believe you darling.” It was true. than it’s ever needed me before. I think I should have called
She said, “Book a theatre in San Francisco.” She mentioned the show “Dame Edna’s Stimulus Package.”
the theatre. She’d just been there. So I did. I played two
weeks. That was the engagement and I went four months Rage: (laughter) I was going to ask you about the importance of
Dame eDna
on to Broadway and won a Tony Award. I’ve been touring in laughter in your life.
June 2 to 7
America ever since. DE: It is. It’s very important. I’m a one-woman antidepres-
San Diego Civic Theatre
sant. You have a similar attitude. You’re a Libra aren’t you?
3rd & B Street
Rage: I can speak for many of my friends and associates when I say
619.570.1100
you are well loved. Rage: Yes.
DE: Thanks possum. I have to pinch myself when I look out DE: I felt that. How is little Patsy by the way?
and
Dame eDna
June 9 to 21
Ahmanson Theater
135 N. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles
213.628.2772
June 2009 | RAGE monthly 49
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