NEWMAN, John Robert OAM (1930-2024)
NEWMAN, John Robert OAM (1930-2024)
John Newman was one of Australia’s leading producers of modern cabaret.
With Tikki Taylor, he performed in a comedy dance act internationally in 1954 and performed in many of the J C Williamson Theatre productions of the 1950s. John also worked as a television producer, and as manager of the Great Moscow Circus. With Tikki Taylor, he established a late night coffee house on Exhibition St near Her Majesty’s Theatre in 1962 and this successful business grew into the well-known Melbourne institution Tikki and John’s Music Hall which featured a cabaret and restaurant. This early business evolved into the Family run Dracula’s Restaurant Group which operated in both Melbourne and Gold Coast. While the Melbourne restaurant closed in 2017, the business has grown into Newman Entertainment. Both John Newman and Tikki were awarded the Medal of Australia (OAM) in the Australia Day awards of 1993 for services to the entertainment industry and to charitable organisations.
John Newman was educated at the College from 1946 to 1947 after first attending Junior Technical School in Geelong. His two sons also attended the College, Paul (OGC 1978) and Marc (1980).
John Newman was one of Australia’s leading producers of modern cabaret.
With Tikki Taylor, he performed in a comedy dance act internationally in 1954 and performed in many of the J C Williamson Theatre productions of the 1950s. John also worked as a television producer, and as manager of the Great Moscow Circus. With Tikki Taylor, he established a late night coffee house on Exhibition St near Her Majesty’s Theatre in 1962 and this successful business grew into the well-known Melbourne institution Tikki and John’s Music Hall which featured a cabaret and restaurant. This early business evolved into the Family run Dracula’s Restaurant Group which operated in both Melbourne and Gold Coast. While the Melbourne restaurant closed in 2017, the business has grown into Newman Entertainment. Both John Newman and Tikki were awarded the Medal of Australia (OAM) in the Australia Day awards of 1993 for services to the entertainment industry and to charitable organisations.
John Newman was educated at the College from 1946 to 1947 after first attending Junior Technical School in Geelong. His two sons also attended the College, Paul (OGC 1978) and Marc (1980).
John passed away 28 July 2024, aged 94 years.
Source
Pegasus, OGC 1945.