The entertainer
Gary Brown
Gary Brown is known across New Zealand for his impersonations and performance skills — but it all started in the early 1980s on the boards of the Peninsula Players amateur theatre in Whangaparāoa, on the Hibiscus Coast.
Gary's history
Gary spent ten years in principal roles there — music hall variety shows and pantomimes, Asher in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Curly in Oklahoma, Barnaby in Hello Dolly, Rooster in Annie — plus countless improv nights.
He has appeared in TV commercials, soap operas and the occasional game show. While living in the USA in 1985 he took an acting course in Hollywood, which led to a four-month US tour in 1988 performing as the character Crocodile Dundee.
In 1992 he founded Party Time Ltd, which grew into one of the largest mobile entertainment companies in New Zealand, running for over 18 years and delivering more than 1,000 shows a year. Along the way he owned two restaurants — the Three Lamps Tavern and Boulevard of Dreams — and organised functions, concerts and major events.
That accumulation of experience means Gary arrives with more than an act: he brings organisation, contacts and a genuine understanding of how an event needs to run.
Awards
2023
Agnes Excellence Award
Variety Artists of NZ
2019
Scroll of Honour
Variety Artists of NZ
2007
Riley Comedy Award
Variety Artists of NZ
References
I have used Gary Brown on a number of occasions as MC/entertainer for client conferences of up to 900 people, from Dunedin to Auckland. His onstage presence is superb, whether he is Austin Powers or one of his other creations. He brings energy and fun, and the feedback is always very positive. Highly adaptable — singing, MCing or generating laughs.
Best ever event held in the Waikato — and the best ever event attended, according to guests who have travelled the globe. Gary was the greatest: on time, sound checked, and going above and beyond. Out of 101 or so performers, he took the gold medal.