Lethal Humour: Nick Garland, Barry Humphries and 'The Adventures of Barry McKenzie'

Abstract

When cartoonist Nick Garland told comedian Peter Cook of his desire to create a comic strip, Cook promised he would get it published in 'Private Eye'. Garland set about drawing the now infamous figure that was to become Barry McKenzie, taking the chin from 'Desperate Dan' and the suit and wide-brimmed hat from the middle-aged ANZACS he had seen walking down Whitehall on Remembrance Day. Cook had recently seen Barry Humphries performing in the Establishment Club and made suggestions about the cartoon character. He pointed Garland to Humphries to write the text for the strip. Garland did as Cook suggested and met Humphries at his home in Highgate where they discussed the first episode. The result was a highly successful artistic partnership, a long-lasting friendship and a comic strip that subtly altered Anglo-Australian cultural relations.