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Puerto Vallarta News NetworkEntertainment 

Michael Walters Brings 'Dame Edna' to Puerto Vallarta

January 28, 2014

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Those of you of a certain age, especially if you're been a fan of late night talk shows, have probably seen the lavishly dressed, flamboyant, aging Australian character called Dame Edna Everage. With her perfect, lilac hair, shimmering dresses and rhinestoned cat-eye glasses, Dame Edna in all her glory pranced onto our television sets with her quick-witted humor, to give us her glorious opinions and satirical take on life.

Dame Edna is a character that was created by Australian actor, Barry Humphries. While a student at Melbourne University, he was asked to write a short sketch for a comedy/variety show which led to the creation of the character, Dame Edna Everage. The part originally was written for a female friend, but Barry was persuaded to play the part in drag. The 'Dame' was added much later by Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam as a publicity stunt, although Dame Edna insists her very good friend Queen Elizabeth has since endorsed the title.

Moving to London, Barry worked as a writer and actor, but somehow, Edna kept reappearing in his life. Barry's Dame Edna caught on in London's underground circuit becoming a cult favorite among the artistically aware. The character was a huge comic success, and soon television and theatrical producers were calling. Barry was capitulated to stardom and Dame Edna rose to fame in the U.S. and Canada through TV appearances, Broadway shows and National Tours in the 80's and 90's.

With Barry Humphries now 80 years of age, it was almost inevitable that someone would pay homage to the outrageous, and hysterical Dame Edna.


Enter stage right, Michael Walters. In Michael's own words, "the Dame Edna character appeared in my life by complete chance and with very little premeditation on my part. About 15 years ago, I was living in Orlando working at a murder mystery dinner theater. They came to me with a new character which was a psychotic, female, celebrity chef. I was actually about the fourth actor they'd asked to play it, because no one was having any luck pulling it off. Something about the script reminded me of the purple-haired, older woman I'd seen on television. I asked the costumers to get me a lilac wig and a pair of rhinestone glasses. It worked so well I almost couldn't believe it myself! Very soon people in the audience wanted to hire me for parties and events. Eventually producers from venues all over North America were asking if I had a full show to perform. I lied to the first one by saying 'YES!' My partner, Doug, and I put the show together and Michael Walters' Dame Edna Show was born."

In 2013/2014, Michael first joined the cabaret season in Puerto Vallarta. It all started when he was looking at Facebook one day and noticed announcements from friends who were performing cabaret shows here. He thought, "Hey, why not me?" Phone calls were made and Michael and his partner, Doug, hopped on a plane for Puerto Vallarta.

Michael loved his first season in PV with its fantastic, appreciative audiences, so coming back this year was a 'no-brainer' for him. He's thrilled to be at The Red Room this season, because the venue is perfect for his show with it's theatrical yet intimate feel. Michael Walters' Dame Edna show is an immersive experience. The audience is her co-star and it's never the same twice. People don't always believe him when he says, "When I step out on stage as Edna, I only have a general idea of how the evening will go. Everything else is up to the audience. That's not something you get from most shows and I hope people find it as exhilarating as I do!"

According to Walters, "People love Dame Edna because she says what everyone in the room is thinking, but is too afraid to say. She reminds us that it's okay to laugh at ourselves and each other because we're all the same. We all have flaws and troubles. Dame Edna doesn't like hyper-sensitivity. The more we can take it easy and have a good chuckle, the better off we'll be. Essentially, Dame Edna is your Maiden Aunt at the family reunion. She doesn't care what anyone thinks!"

When Michael isn't performing in Puerto Vallarta he does a variety of impersonations, including one of Jackie Gleason. 2014 was a good year for Michael's career. He was given the chance to participate in the development of a new Broadway Musical adaptation of The Honeymooners TV show from the 1950s. The show is supposed to get a full production at Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut before it transfers to Broadway sometime in 2016. It stars Hank Azaria from The Simpsons and The Birdcage as well as Broadway favorites Leslie Kritzer, Michael McGrath, and Megan Hilty (who recently starred on NBC's SMASH.)

So Dame Edna and Michael will be taking a little break from each other after the cabaret season wraps up in Puerto Vallarta, but he assures us that Edna will be back probably sooner than later.

Michael Walter's Dame Edna show is a delightful, improvisational experience with Barry Humphries, beloved character. For some of us the show brings back fond memories of a well loved character we used to know and for others it is an entirely new entertainment experience. Either way, we know for sure, that Michael Walters is fabulous as Dame Edna.