Melbourne Fringe Living Legends

The Melbourne Fringe Living Legend Award is presented annually to an individual who has inspired high quality work as an exemplar to the Fringe community. Supporting artists, daringly shifting practice, a body of work that has raised the bar and providing leadership above and beyond the call of duty are all attributes of Melbourne Fringe Living Legends.

Sammy J

An Australian icon of musical comedy and satire, and a true believer in the power of independent art, Sammy J’s career spans radio, stage and song, but it’s his unwavering commitment to the Fringe community that cements his legendary status. Through his extraordinary body of work, from his very first Fringe show to the epic 50 Year Show project, and his generous support of others, he’s inspired generations of artists to be braver, funnier, and more unapologetically themselves. We’re so proud to have him in our corner, and thrilled to announce him as this year’s Living Legend!

Yumi Umiumare

Yumi Umiamare is a long-standing member of the Fringe community. From award-winning works for adults to participatory works for children, co-creating works with disabled dancers and performing at more Club Fringe events than we can count, she has literally created her own genre of work – and what could be more Fringe than that?

Moira Finucane

Moira Finucane is a true Melbourne icon, trailblazer and a tireless champion of the independent arts. As a writer, director, performer and creator of legendary salons, incredible variety and bold theatrical spectacles, she has defined and redefined cabaret around the world with her arresting mix of provocation and entertainment.

Maude Davey OAM

Maude Davey is an actor, director and writer of over 25 years. She has worked extensively in variety, as a member of Finucane and Smith's Glory Box/Burlesque Hour ensemble and in her own award-winning outfit, Retro Futurismus.

Dr Lou Bennett AM

Lou Bennett is a performer, songwriter, musical and artistic director, composer, actor, soundscape and music designer and educator from the Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung people in Echuca, Victoria.

Bill Coleby

Anni Davey

Anni Davey is the Artistic Director of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus and a celebrated circus and cabaret artist. She is also a former Melbourne Fringe Chair.

Susie Dee

Susie Dee has worked extensively in theatre as a performer, devisor, and director both in Australia and overseas for over 40 years.

Richard Watts OAM 

Richard Watts is the National Performing Arts Editor of arts industry website ArtsHub and presents the long-running weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM. He is also a former Melbourne Fringe Chair.

Rinske Ginsberg

Rinske Ginsberg has over 40 years of experience as an actor trainer, director, and theatre maker. She was a former lecturer in Acting at Victorian College of the Arts (VCA).

Ian Pidd

Ian Pidd is a director of theatre and festivals. He has been an integral part of Melbourne Fringe for over 35 years, as a champion for the independent arts, a mentor for emerging artists, an awards judge, and for many years working as Chair of the Fringe board.