Reg Livermore AO
Reg Livermore is one of Australia’s most distinctive and influential performers, renowned for his flamboyant stage presence, sharp wit and groundbreaking one-man shows.
Born in Sydney, Livermore showed theatrical ambition early. At just 13 years old, he was already hiring local halls to stage his own pantomimes, casting children from his neighbourhood in his productions.
He began his professional career in 1957 at the Phillip Street Theatre, working as an understudy to Gordon Chater and Barry Humphries in the revue Around The Loop. Soon after, he appeared in Cross Section alongside Ruth Cracknell, June Salter and John Meillon followed by an array of productions with the Union Theatre Repertory Company, and as a founding member, the Ensemble Theatre.
During the 1960s, Livermore became a familiar television face, hosting the ABC children’s program Crackerjack and the variety show I’m Alright Now. His stage career expanded significantly in 1969 when he appeared in the Australian production of the musical Hair, followed by Jesus Christ Superstar. In 1974, he achieved major acclaim playing Dr Frank’n’Furter in the original Rocky Horror Show.
In 1975, Livermore created his first one-man show, Betty Blokk Buster Follies, whose success led to a celebrated series of shows including Wonder Woman; Sacred Cow; Son of Betty and Firing Squad. His 1980 London debut caused a sensation when audiences initially reacted with shock to his provocative style.
Returning to Australia, he starred in the musical Barnum and continued performing acclaimed solo productions throughout the 1990s. He received an Australian Artists Creative Fellowship in 1995 and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1996.
Livermore later became a popular television personality, appearing for a decade on Burke’s Backyard and Our House. He published his autobiography, Chapters and Chances, in 2003, and in 2004 starred as Max Bialystock in the musical The Producers, earning a Mo Award for the role.
He has also performed with Opera Australia in various Gilbert and Sullivan operas and played Professor Higgins in its 2008 production of My Fair Lady. A major retrospective of his career was staged at Arts Centre Melbourne in 2011. He received the inaugural Adelaide Cabaret Festival Icon Award in 2013, and his performance as The Wizard in Wicked earned him a Helpmann Award along with the 2014 Sydney Theatre Award for Lifetime Achievement.
In 2016, Livermore won the coveted role of Alfred P. Doolittle in the Dame Julie Andrews 60th Anniversary production of My Fair Lady, that same year he was also honoured with Live Performance Australia’s Centenary Lifetime Achievement Award.
Today, Reg is widely regarded as a pioneering force in Australian theatre, celebrated for pushing boundaries and redefining solo performance.