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Hero image for Variety Spectacular - A Night with the Stars

Lynn of Tawa & Elaine Smith

The Topp Twins

Howard Morrison sings 'Tukua Ahau'

When the Cats Away sing 'Free Ride'

Andrew Sachs with Hudson & Halls & Max Cryer

Children's choir & co sing 'Tomorrow'

Closing credits

Lynn of Tawa & Elaine Smith

The Topp Twins

Howard Morrison sings 'Tukua Ahau'

When the Cats Away sing 'Free Ride'

Andrew Sachs with Hudson & Halls & Max Cryer

Children's choir & co sing 'Tomorrow'

Closing credits

Variety Spectacular - A Night with the Stars

Television (Excerpts) – 1989

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A Night with the Stars was an ambitious, high-rating broadcast, in honour of children's charity Variety being established in New Zealand. Above is a six-clip selection of comedy and musical performances from the November 1989 event. Ginette McDonald delivers a beloved monologue as Lynn of Tawa (poking fun at local celebrities), whilst Brit Andrew Sachs performs a sketch as his Fawlty Towers character Manuel — with the help of Hudson And Halls and TV legend Max Cryer. There's also plenty of live music, including Howard Morrison singing in te reo, and When the Cats Away performing their high-energy rendition of 'Free Ride'. Check out pages from the show's official programme here.

... drop the charges!
– Jools Topp makes a last minute plea after performing, in relation to the Topp Twins' recent arrest for busking on Queen Street

Key Cast & Crew

Max Cryer

Writer, Performer

Jools Topp

Performer, As: The Topp Twins

Howard Morrison

Performer

Ginette McDonald

As: Lynn of Tawa

Peter Hudson

Performer

Malcolm Kemp

Director, Producer

See all 85 credits

Produced by

TVNZ

Source

Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision - TVNZ Collection

Music

Closing credits song 'There's No Business Like Show Business' composed by Irving Berlin

'Tukua Ahau' originally composed by Franz Lehar as 'Gypsy Love Waltz', lyrics by Hoani Tuhimata Keepa (Māori) & Mike Farrell (English)

'Free Ride' composed by Dan Hartman

'Tomorrow' (from musical Annie) composed by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Chamin

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