Vaib Solomon

Vaiben Louis Solomon (31 May 1897 – ), 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) whose father Judah Moss Solomon (1818–1880) forbade marriage to his girlfriend Mary Ann Wigzell, so he remained single until December 1880 following the death of his father. By this time Mary Ann was a widow and mother of Harrie Bridgland (1879–1947). Vaib was the son of 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 (magazine). Victoria, Australia. 27 November 1924. p. 25. Retrieved 19 April 2020 – via Trove.
  11. "Family Notices". Table Talk (magazine). 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.
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