One of Australia’s finest exports, Barry Humphries, is returning to Cardiff with all his alter egos in tow. LAURA LEA meets the most fabulous and famous of these, Dame Edna Everage, to discuss her final farewell tour.

So first things first, why the farewell after 50 years on stage?

“Because I desperately need the money. Ever since that man took it all.”

The ‘man’ Edna is referring to is her embezzling husband. What I soon discover, is that Edna will be leading this interview – as if I should ever have expected otherwise from this stage and screen professional.

“I’m fundamentally a Melbourne housewife, or a domestic engineer,” she says, as this is of course where Edna began.

Audiences will have to wait until act two of Eat Pray Laugh, after the appearances of Sandy Stone and Sir Les Patterson, for the Dame to make her entrance. She promises to ‘empower’ audiences as she meditates on the ‘big’ issues including gender and climate change.

But her links to feminism, she told me, began with D.E.A.D - Dame Edna’s Academy of Drama.

“Local people would send their children to me for special lessons and all that type of thing, which we did in our own lounge. There was little Kate, little Kylie and little Germaine. But now Germaine was very interesting looking and very clever and a bit of a little madam. She was not displeased with herself.

“I took her under my wing and I discussed with her the role of women. Little did I know I was dictating The Female Eunuch. It was written by me under the pseudo name of Germaine.

“So, I’m really the original feminist.

“I like playing to the women in my audiences because women have a much more developed sense of humour, because we have seen it all.

“The men have no idea. Women are in touch with reality. And women like me. It’s very important to like myself and I adore myself.”

So it seems confidence is as plentiful as ever for Edna, but how is she feeling about returning to Wales?

“The leek is my inspiration, you know. As you know, I am of welsh origin. The Wales Millennium Centre is the most impressive arts centre in the British Isles.”

And that’s high praise from someone who’s toured the world and played the Royal Albert Hall.

“I’m longing to meet all of my Welsh possums again. The people in England snigger a bit at the Welsh. They don’t go there. They think they’re all Methodists speaking in a funny sing song and they’re right!”

“I’ll be talking about different parts of life and involving the audience in all sorts of things. I’m a celebrant so I’ll also be marrying two people.”

Along the way there was also talk of healing powers and a séance, so whatever you may be expecting, you’re probably still in for a surprise.

EAT PRAY LAUGH! comes to Wales Millennium Centre on October 30 – November 2. Tickets range from £20 to £47.50. To book tickets, visit www.wmc.org.uk or call 02920 63 6464.