Tim Minchin reveals why he didn’t cancel his Sydney show just one day after the tragic death of his mother
Tim Minchin on Thursday opened up about what led to his heartbreaking decision to continue his performance in Sydney following the death of his mother a day earlier.
The comedian, 48, performed An Unfunny Evening with Tim Minchin at the State Theater on November 10 and made the shocking announcement at the end of the show.
Minchin has now revealed the reason why he decided not to cancel the gig.
‘I think it’s very important that when I give performances, people have an experience that feels honest. It was the day after my mother died, so I thought I would be honest,” he said news.com.au.
‘Not because I wanted to manipulate them or get pity, but because everyone goes through those experiences.
Tim Minchin on Thursday opened up about what led to his heartbreaking decision to continue his performance in Sydney following the death of his mother a day earlier. In the photo: Tim and his mother Ros in 2016
“That’s our job as artists to say, ‘I experienced this and this is how I’m unpacking it and maybe you’ll get something out of it when I talk about it and play songs,’” he added.
During the show last month, a tearful Minchin moved the audience by inviting them to sing along to an encore of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, in honor of his mother Ros.
He had shocked the audience by making the tragic personal announcement on stage.
“My mother died yesterday,” Tim told the stunned audience.
He had shared several stories about his mother and performed several songs he had written about her during the show.
During one of his stories, Tim revealed that his mother Ros was diagnosed with terminal blood cancer in 2020.
The comedian, 48, performed An Unfunny Evening with Tim Minchin and his Piano at the State Theater on November 10 and made the shocking announcement at the end of the show
He received a standing ovation at the end of the show before making the devastating announcement.
Many onlookers praised Tim for sharing such a candid confession.
‘Tonight I see Tim Minchin for the fifth time. Absolutely incredible show hands down his best! Very emotional end to the evening,” someone wrote on X.
Tim and his wife Sarah, whom he married in 2001 and share a daughter and son, returned to Australia from Los Angeles in December 2017.
During the show, a tearful Minchin moved the audience by inviting them to sing along to an encore of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, in honor of his mother Ros.