It will begin performances there Nov. 13 prior to an official opening Nov. 15, for a run through Jan. 8, 2014, only. Prior to London, it will open at the Milton Keynes Theatre Oct. 23-26, then visit Cardiff's Wales Millennium Centre (Oct. 30-Nov. 2) and Edinburgh's Festival Theatre (Nov. 5-9), as previously announced.
Following the London run, the show will continue on tour to newly announced dates at Newcastle's Theatre Royal (Jan. 21-25), Southampton's Mayflower (Jan. 28-Feb. 1), Norwich's Theatre Royal (Feb. 4-8), Glasgow's King's Theatre (Feb. 11-15), Bristol Hippodrome (Feb. 18-22), Leeds' Grand Theatre (Feb. 25-March 1) and Manchester's Opera House (Mar. 4-8).
In a press statement, Dame Edna commented, "I've been away from home too long possums, and my true home is the London Palladium. Book now for the housewarming party of the century!"
In addition to Dame Edna, Humphries will reprise the Honorable Sir Les Patterson (the constantly inebriated Australian cultural attaché) and the gentle, grandfatherly Sandy Stone. In the words of Dame Edna, this serves as "just a bit of foreplay really before I make an orgasmic appearance in Act Two."
Dame Edna, the self-styled "housewife superstar," has played the West End and Broadway on numerous occasions over the last half century, including appearances at the Royal Albert Hall and seasons at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Strand and Piccadilly Theatres, amongst others. On U.K. television, Dame Edna has presented her own chat show "The Dame Edna Experience." The show is directed by Australian theatre director Simon Phillips, who directed the recent West End and Broadway productions of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, with design by Tony Award winner Brian Thomson, who designed the original Australian and London productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and The Rocky Horror Show, as well as the closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games.
Eat Pray Laugh! is produced by Paul Dainty of The Dainty Group and James Cundall of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions.
To book tickets for the London Palladium, contact the box office on 0844 811 0058, or visit www.dameednafarewell.com for full touring dates and booking details.
