Kiwi Concert Party Explained

The Kiwi Concert Party was a group of New Zealand entertainers. They were originally called N.Z. Entertainment Unit, formed in 1941 within the 2nd N.Z. Expeditionary Force.[1] After World War II, the troupe toured New Zealand and Australia.[2]

Terry Vaughan was approached to take over directorship of this touring party and he acquiesced on the condition that he would have full hire-and-fire powers. Vaughan selected musicians from both Concert Party groups to form a big band (reeds, trumpets, trombones and rhythm section – no string section, but two musicians who doubled on violin)

Under the name of the New Zealand Kiwis, the group embarked to Brisbane in early April 1946 after a two-week warm-up season at His Majesty’s Theatre in Auckland. The Kiwis toured through Australia and New Zealand until 1954, including playing over two years at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne.[3] The revues included acts from female impersonators (including John Hunter), singers and comedians.

Select shows

External links

Notes and References

  1. Jock Phillips. 'Kiwi - A kiwi country: 1930s–2000s', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 5-May-15URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/music/10195/kiwi-concert-party
  2. Web site: Variety (December 1947) . Archive.org . 2016-03-30.
  3. Web site: Musicians at War: The Kiwi Concert Party in World War II - AudioCulture. www.audioculture.co.nz. en. 2019-12-26.
  4. News: KIWIS REVUE COMPANY MAKES A HIT . . 31,299 . Victoria, Australia . 23 December 1946 . 16 September 2023 . 4 . National Library of Australia.