IF YOU want a really good night out with plenty of laughs then get along to the outrageous Barry Humphries show, The Farewell Tour at Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

The audience at last night's opening show of this all too brief visit to Wales were not disappointed when the first of his characters, Sir Les Patterson, landed on stage in his new role - that of a would-be TV chef with a terrible attack of the runs accompanied by burping, farting and other sound effects which had the audience howling with laughter.

Political correctness was out the window and there is an age restriction on the show so the humour was definitely adult and very, very funny.

'Les Get Cooking' saw Sir Les drench the first few rows of the audience with spittle as he outlines his plans for his new career, picking on unfortunate but willing members of the public happy to be singled out in such an outrageous manner.

Thank goodness we were sitting far enough away to be spared this.

This set the scene for the rest of the show which featured several of his comic characters including the gentle soul of Sandy Stone who was in contemplative mood - and in his ghostly apparel gave the audience a brief respite from the laughs with his thought provoking and milder humourous monologue.

In stark contrast then was the ultimate star of the show the fabulous and much-loved gladioli loving Oz housewife made good - Dame Edna Everage in all her sequinned glory, singing, dancing and talking about her retreat with the Dalai Llama, her dodgy cousin, a gay lecherous priest and of course her children.

This included an hilarious anecdote about finding her long lost daughter Velma discovered living with her female partner and several savage dogs in Splot.

Dame Edna also persuaded two members of the audience on stage with a 'wedding' ceremony between the two which again had the audience in stitches.

Barry Humphries - as himself- made an appearance to say farewell in the show subtitled, Laugh, Love, Pray.

A true entertainer, it's hard to believe this is the last we will see of the talented Australian with a love of gladioli. Make sure you get along to one of his shows, on tonight and tomorrow at 7.30pm with two shows on Saturday, November 2 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Gina Robertson