Sayers, Rex
Rex was born Leo Marcus Sayers in Auckland in 1902. His parents were Harold Harding Sayers (Dentist) and Ivy Charlotte Akersten, who was an outstanding pianist and started work accompanying Vaudeville productions in her late teens. In the 1920’s she was Music Director and Conductor, Fullers Opera House (Vaudeville) Auckland
Rex became widely known as an announcer for station 1YA, beginning in a part-time position in 1937 before becoming full-time in 1940.
He joined the Army in WW2, becoming organiser/conductor/compere of the "Kiwi Concert Party" in the Pacific. NOW the Kiwi Concert Party is very famous (there are three books and countless articles about it) - BUT there were actually TWO of them. The famous one (conducted and organised by Terry Vaughan) served in the Middle East. The Pacific one (organised by Rex Sayers) was much smaller (1/3rd the size) and less well funded than its famous cousin. Nevertheless they were both reputed to be of very high standard.
Rex toured with a number of theatre companies after WW2, and worked in Dunedin radio before returning to Auckland's 1YA in 1951.
He began an involvement with television early in the 1960s soon after screening first began in Auckland. Working part-time, he was one of the first continuity and news announcers to appear on television, and went on to compere "Ten to Win" on the NZBC.
He was also familiar as an actor on the stage and in television and radio plays.
Rex died in 1978.
My thanks to Harry Dutton for these details - if anyone has more information please feel free to add e-mail me.
Comments
Jon -
Hi, I read your comments on Rex Sayers with interest... he was a good friend of my mother and was Godfather to me; I remember visiting him and having some contact with him early in my life. Rex ended up spending his final days before his passing at our family home in Herne Bay. Kind regards,
Tracy -
Hi, I wondered if you knew anything about the carnivals at Western Springs that Rex was involved with in the 1950's? My grandmother designed and made all the costumes. Best
Sheila Miner 13/06/2011
Hello, My husband Leo, named after his Uncle Leo "Rex" would be extremely interested in making contact with Harry Dutton. Leo's mother was Mercia Miner, sister to Rex, and performed as a very young child with Rex on stage. Thank you and best regards. Sheila and Leo Miner, California, USA
Bob Cameron 13/10/2019
Very interesting to read all the above,Rex was my mother's cousin whose maiden name was Lilian Akerston but known as Meg.
Through Rex she met my father Fred Cameron while both Fred & Rex where in camp together before being shipped overseas for ww2.
I remember as a young child meeting Mercia and family when they visited NZ,I think they where living in Ohio at that time.I was very young then but well remember playing with the toy cap guns the Mercias young son had.
Rex also compared Have a Shot on the radio for some time ,as well as doing the children's request show on Sunday mornings.
