We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.

Royal Variety Performance Show 1981

Television (Full Length) – 1981

This live TV spectacular documents an 18 October 1981 Royal Variety performance in front of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh. The many performers in Auckland's St James Theatre included Ray Columbus (in That's Country mode), Sir Howard Morrison and John Rowles. Dance is represented by Limbs and the Royal New Zealand Ballet, while McPhail and Gadsby and Billy T James deliver pre-PC gags. There’s a show stopping all-singing all-dancing finale — then what seems like the entire roster of Kiwi showbiz of the time lines up to greet the Queen, including Lynn of Tawa.

What a feast of entertainment we have for you tonight, featuring the country’s top talent, all here for a two hour spectacular in honour of Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh.
– John Hayden, presenter

If you liked this, you might also like...

Collection
Collection image for The Dance Collection

The Dance Collection

A celebration of dance: from the grace of the Royal New...

Collection
Collection image for The Crown Collection

The Crown Collection

A collection of things royal – from visits downunder to a...

Collection
Collection image for The Ray Columbus Collection

The Ray Columbus Collection

A nod to the mod – a career-spanning collection that...

Thumbnail image for Prince Tui Teka - 1983 Variety Show

Prince Tui Teka - 1983 Variety Show

Another variety show from the same era

Thumbnail image for Royal Tour in Review

Royal Tour in Review

A documentary on the 1983 Royal Tour by Charles and Di

Thumbnail image for 2000 Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park

2000 Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park

A star-studded live show from a later era

Thumbnail image for 6.30PM News - Prince William and the Buzzy Bee

6.30PM News - Prince William and the Buzzy Bee

A famous moment from the 1983 Royal Tour

Thumbnail image for Billy T Live

Billy T Live

Billy T in full swing

Thumbnail image for Gloria

Gloria

More from Limbs dancer Douglas Wright

Thumbnail image for The Crown in New Zealand

The Crown in New Zealand

A survey of Royal Tours to NZ to 1970

Thumbnail image for She's a Mod

She's a Mod

Ray Columbus in his mod incarnation

Thumbnail image for The Royal Tour of New Zealand 1953 - 54

The Royal Tour of New Zealand 1953 - 54

An earlier royal visit

Thumbnail image for The Secret Life of John Rowles

The Secret Life of John Rowles

Documentary on John Rowles

Thumbnail image for This is Your Life - Sir Howard Morrison

This is Your Life - Sir Howard Morrison

Howard Morrison gets the red book treatment

Thumbnail image for C'mon
Series

C'mon

Peter Sinclair hosted this 60s show

Thumbnail image for Magic Kiwis - Lynn & Fred

Magic Kiwis - Lynn & Fred

Ginette McDonald talks about her character Lynn of Tawa

Thumbnail image for For Art's Sake - Mary Jane O'Reilly

For Art's Sake - Mary Jane O'Reilly

Limbs dancer/choreographer profile

Thumbnail image for Ballet in New Zealand

Ballet in New Zealand

Early days of the Royal New Zealand Ballet

Thumbnail image for Danny Down Under

Danny Down Under

Another variety show from the era

Thumbnail image for The Miss New Zealand Show 1984

The Miss New Zealand Show 1984

Also directed by Malcolm Kemp and hosted by Peter Sinclair

Thumbnail image for Giselle

Giselle

Royal New Zealand Ballet in the 21st century

Thumbnail image for Hudson and Halls - Episode Seven (1982)

Hudson and Halls - Episode Seven (1982)

Hudson and Halls cooking show

Thumbnail image for McPhail & Gadsby - Best of Series Five

McPhail & Gadsby - Best of Series Five

McPhail and Gadsby in their prime

Thumbnail image for Lynn of Tawa - In Search of the Great New Zealand Male

Lynn of Tawa - In Search of the Great New Zealand Male

Ginette McDonald channels Lyn of Tawa

Thumbnail image for The Water Cycle

The Water Cycle

Features a score by music director Tony Baker

Thumbnail image for Kaleidoscope - China Ballet: A Week in Beijing, A Bit Less in Shanghai

Kaleidoscope - China Ballet: A Week in Beijing, A Bit Less in Shanghai

The RNZB travels to China

Thumbnail image for Petrouchka in Performance

Petrouchka in Performance

More of the Royal NZ Ballet

Thumbnail image for What's the Time Mr Wolf?

What's the Time Mr Wolf?

Another side of 1981

Thumbnail image for Dancing Cossacks - 1975 National Party

Dancing Cossacks - 1975 National Party

More Muldoon and dancing

Thumbnail image for Sing Special - November 1975

Sing Special - November 1975

Another variety show

Thumbnail image for How Great Thou Art (Whakaaria Mai)

How Great Thou Art (Whakaaria Mai)

Howard Morrison's performance from this show

Thumbnail image for Nothing But Dreams - performed by Tina Cross

Nothing But Dreams - performed by Tina Cross

Also features Tina Cross

Thumbnail image for Opportunity Knocks - 1975 Final

Opportunity Knocks - 1975 Final

More of musician Richard Hore

Thumbnail image for Penny Lane - performed by Ray Woolf

Penny Lane - performed by Ray Woolf

Ray Woolf performing in another variety gala

Thumbnail image for Logan Brewer - The Man Behind the Razmatazz

Logan Brewer - The Man Behind the Razmatazz

Profile of production designer Logan Brewer

Thumbnail image for Streets of Laredo - performed by John Grenell

Streets of Laredo - performed by John Grenell

More from John Grenell

Thumbnail image for Tania

Tania

A 1978 John Rowles hit

Thumbnail image for Visual Symphonies - The Outback

Visual Symphonies - The Outback

Travel show featuring Lynn of Tawa

Thumbnail image for Mavis Rivers and Friends

Mavis Rivers and Friends

Jazz singer Mavis Rivers and special guests

Thumbnail image for Hui Pacific - Episode

Hui Pacific - Episode

Variety show hosted by Frankie Stevens

Thumbnail image for Lynn of Tawa - Special

Lynn of Tawa - Special

TV special hosted by Lynn of Tawa

Thumbnail image for Lynn of Tawa Show - First Episode

Lynn of Tawa Show - First Episode

Sketch series featuring Lynn of Tawa

Thumbnail image for Variety Spectacular - A Night with the Stars: The Topp Twins

Variety Spectacular - A Night with the Stars: The Topp Twins

Another 1980s Kiwi Variety show

Thumbnail image for Seven Sharp - Ginette McDonald

Seven Sharp - Ginette McDonald

Ginette McDonald campaigns for Wellington City Council