Aubrey Ellis’ career in show business spans 25 years, and includes starring roles in some of South Africa’s longest running and most lavish theatrical productions. Always the leading male singer in the famous Brickhill-Burke musical extravaganzas, he branched out into the demanding world of cabaret and, having played most of the leading cabaret venues in the R.S.A. and neighboring states, was constantly in demand for special functions, i.e. promotions, parties etc. as singer, comedian, compere and Master of Ceremonies.

He has featured in the country’s Top Ten hits singing his own composition “Birds Don’t Sing Here Anymore” and is remembered for his satirical revue “Jester Minute” which he wrote, produced and performed in a 2½ year run nation-wide, garnering such critical acclaim as:

• “Mr. Ellis has an engaging smile, is a first-rate singer, and with his twinkling smile, radiates good humour which bounces back from the audience who cannot help liking him.” — (Natal Mercury)
• “Splendidly funny… rates highly on the must-be-seen list” — (Ian Gray)
• “Mr. Ellis is a man of considerable talent… sharp sense of humour and relaxed style that raised the cry of ‘Encore’ from his audience.” — (Kapla: Cape Argus)
• “The funniest show in town” — (Raeford Daniel)

Aubrey’s versatility has taken him into spheres of show business as diverse as Fun Fairs (he designed and created the Victorian Carousel at Gold Reef City) and Grand Opera.

Following is a list of productions in which he played major roles:

STAGE

• “Oklahoma” (Brickhill-Burke)
• “Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Brickhill-Burke)
• “Minstrel Scandals” (Brickhill-Burke)
• “Minstrel Follies” (Brickhill-Burke)
• “Robert and Elizabeth” (Brickhill-Burke)
• “Annie” (Brickhill-Burke)
• “Christian” (Brickhill-Burke)
• “Marat Sade” (Market Theatre Prod.)
• “Don’t Drink The Water” (Market Theatre Prod.)
• “Angel City” (Market Theatre Prod.)
• “Music Hall and Melodrama” (Aubrey Ellis Productions)
• “Jester Minute” (Aubrey Ellis Productions)
• “An Oak Falls” (Baxter Theatre Prod.)
• “Oliver” (Baxter Theatre Prod.)
• “South Pacific” (J.O.D.S.)
• “Rashomon” (Performing Arts Council Transvaal)
• “Guys and Dolls” (Wits Opera Dept.)

OPERA

• “Il Trovatore” (Performing Arts Council Transvaal)
• “Evita” (Civic Theatre / PACT)
• “Esther” (Civic Theatre)

FILMS

• “Die Marmer Poel”
• “Kill and Kill Again”

T.V.

• “The Villagers”
• “Jordan”
• “Scotty Smith”

The Gold Reef City Connection:
designed and created the Victorian Carousel at Gold Reef City. This wasn’t just a side job—it was a landmark piece of engineering and design that millions of South Africans have enjoyed for decades.