Standing Ovations for an Outstanding Performance
One man show extraordinaire, and founding member of the Ensemble Theatre, Reg Livermore, introduces us to the charismatic theatre jack-of-all trade’s actor Arthur Kwick (with a KW) whose career has been unremarkable despite a surprisingly notable performance playing a Widow Twankey in a landmark production for the pantomime ALLADDIN back in ’69.
Reg Livermore presents a banquet of language salad and riotous fun at the Ensemble Theatre. Images: Sophie Withers
This character, Kwick, having survived the unpredictable ups and downs associated with a career in the theatre, now confronts the fact he has probably reached that rocky plateau. With a ‘later in life’ job offer, Kwick’s talents and previously tested abilities are taken on a brave new journey where his vivid imagination exposes both his strengths and weaknesses.
Livermore’s performance is witty and clever. Effortlessly, he delivers this self-written script with brilliance, all while engaging the audience with his strong stage presence and natural comedic timing. Appealing to a more mature audience, he has a ball playing with the language in his hilarious script, mixing up words, synonyms, meanings and definitions. This begs the question: is the audience witness to the common labours of growing old where one’s sense of personal relevance is often dramatically tested or is the character on stage a distant echo of a forgotten ‘tired and tested’ all-weather clown at a children’s party?
“As an actor, Reg has that beautiful quality all the best actors have of making the art of acting look effortless; but you know every moment is considered and reconsidered, every phrase planned, every throwaway rehearsed,” said artistic director Mark Kilmurry. “As a writer he is as creative as Beckett and as absurd as Patrick White but all with his own brilliantly unique comedy voice.”
Livermore presents his latest solo work for the Ensemble Theatre 60th year celebrations from July 26 to September 1.
About Reg Livermore
Playwright/ Arthur Kwick
Spanning more than 60 years, his theatrical career on stage and in television includes achievements as actor, author, director and designer. In 1958, Reg became a founding member of the Ensemble Theatre. As a performer he is remembered for show stopping appearances in Hair and Jesus Christ Supersta, and as the original Dr Frank’n’furter in the Australian production of The Rocky Horror Show.
In the 1970s, Livermore starred in his first and most popular one-man-show Bettie Blokk-Buster Follies, and followed this up with a string of one-man shows, Wonder Woman, Sacred Cow, Son of Betty and Firing Squad. In 2014 for his role as the Wizard in Wicked the Musical, he received the national Helpmann Award for Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical.
