AFTER three decades as one of the world's most renowned comedians, Robin Williams will finally embark on his first ever stand-up comedy tour of Oz

The Weapons of Self Destruction tour will play arenas in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

The Oscar-winning star of Good Will Hunting and Insomnia has been a frequent visitor to Australia to promote films but he has only ever performed a couple of one-off club shows here, including an impromptu performance at The Sugarmill in Sydney in February.

Earlier this year, Williams, 59, created a storm of indignation after joking that Australian’s are “basically English rednecks” on the Late Show with David Letterman.

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd shot back that Williams should “spend a bit of time in Alabama” before calling other people rednecks. Mr Rudd’s widely reported comments sparked anger in America’s southern states.

“That was pretty bizarre,” the comedian told the Herald Sun.

“I was like: Wow! I’ve started an international incident! I don’t want to cause a war between Alabama and Australia – please no!”

Williams said Australia was “an amazing country” and he’d meant no offence.

“I was talking about the accent, not talking about a state of mind,” he said.

The comedian said he’d decided to finally tour Australia after taking his show to every other major English speaking territory in the world.

“You’re the last frontier!” he said. “So that’s the best place to go.”

The Weapons of Self Destruction tour played more than 100 cities in the US, Canada and the UK during 2008 and 2009, with tickets frequently selling out in a matter of minutes.

The tour had to be temporarily postponed in March last year while the comedian underwent heart surgery to receive a transplanted aortic valve from a cow.

“I feel a lot better,” he said. “It’s me 2.0!”

A HBO broadcast of Weapons of Self Destruction, recorded in Washington last year, has been nominated for three Emmy awards.

Promoter Paul Dainty, Chair of Dainty Consolidated Entertainment, said he had first made Williams an offer to tour in 2002, when the comedian returned to stand up after a 16 year break. He said he'd chasing him ever since.

“I must have asked him 50 times,” he said. “He’s true comedian’s comedian and his tour was one of the hottest tickets in America.”

Tickets go on sale at midday on September 2 with prices yet to be announced. Dates as follows:


- November 4, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, www.ticketek.com.au

- November 7 and 8, Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena, www.ticketek.com.au

- November 11 and 12, Sydney Entertainment Centre, www.ticketmaster.com.au

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