Vaib Solomon

Vaiben Louis Solomon (31 May 1897 – 1982), commonly called "Vaib" to distinguish him from his father and others of the same name, was a businessman, better known as the humorous writer "Vaiben Louis".

History

Solomon was born in Medindie, South Australia,[1] the only son of politician Vaiben Louis Solomon (1853–1908) and his second wife Alice née Cohen (died 19 May 1954).[2]

He was educated at St Peter's College then at Wesley College, when his parents moved to Melbourne. He wrote humorous pieces for a school magazine The Lion, which he sub-edited,[3] and was active in amateur theatricals raising money for patriotic causes during the Great War.[4] He was successful in business, but continued to write, notably short humorous verses which were regularly published in Smith's Weekly 1922–1923.[5][6]

He wrote a sketch for the comedian Gene Gerrard, which drew the attention of Hugh J. Ward, who had just acquired the rights to the "hit" farce Tons of Money[7] and commissioned Solomon to write the lyrics of a musical version[8] to a score by Willy Redstone.[9] It had a successful run at Sydney's Grand Opera House 1 March – 23 May 1924 and Melbourne's Princess Theatre 10–30 November 1924 with Charles Heslop and Dot Brunton as Aubrey and Louise Allington.[10]

He appears to have then ceased writing, and apart from his marriage in 1931, dropped out of the limelight completely.

Family

Solomon married Claribelle "Claire"[11] Mitchell of Camberwell, Victoria on 31 March 1931.[12]

References

1. "Family Notices". South Australian Register. South Australia. 5 June 1897. p. 4. Retrieved 19 April 2020 – via Trove.
2. "Family Notices". Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957). 1954-05-21. p. 17. Retrieved 2020-04-19.
3. "Australian Librettist". Weekly Times. Victoria, Australia. 29 November 1924. p. 16. Retrieved 19 April 2020 – via Trove.
4. "Talented Adelaidean". The Mail (Adelaide). South Australia. 22 November 1924. p. 11. Retrieved 19 April 2020 – via Trove.
5. "Scandal". Smith's Weekly. New South Wales, Australia. 4 February 1922. p. 20. Retrieved 19 April 2020 – via Trove.
6. "A Ballet Mistake". Smith's Weekly. New South Wales, Australia. 25 February 1922. p. 10. Retrieved 19 April 2020 – via Trove.
7. "New Plays for Australia". Geelong Advertiser. Victoria, Australia. 6 June 1922. p. 5. Retrieved 19 April 2020 – via Trove.
8. "A Magician's Partner". The Herald (Melbourne). Victoria, Australia. 22 November 1924. p. 19. Retrieved 19 April 2020 – via Trove.
9. Vaiben Louis (6 December 1924). "The Art of Writing Lyrics". The Newcastle Sun. New South Wales, Australia. p. 7. Retrieved 19 April 2020 – via Trove.
10. "The Theatre and Its People". Table Talk. Victoria, Australia. 27 November 1924. p. 25. Retrieved 19 April 2020 – via Trove.
11. "Family Notices". Table Talk. Victoria, Australia. 29 May 1930. p. 54. Retrieved 20 April 2020 – via Trove.
12. "Family Notices". The Argus (Melbourne). Victoria, Australia. 23 May 1931. p. 11. Retrieved 20 April 2020 – via Trove.