The grand dame of world theatre, Dame Edna Everage, has been forced out of retirement by the demands of her adoring “Precious Possums”, announcing a surprise tour of Australia in September and October. Since she first appeared on stage as purple-rinsed Melbourne housewife Mrs Edna Everage, Dame Edna has toured Europe, the US and the Middle East, picking up a Tony Award for the 2000 Broadway production Dame Edna, The Royal Tour and a Tony nomination in 2004 for Back with a Vengeance.