AustLit

Lyricist, librettist, poet, businessman, writer.

The son of the Adelaide politician Vaiben Louis Solomon Snr (1853-1908), Vaiben Louis was educated at St. Peter's College, Adelaide, and afterwards at Wesley College, Melbourne. As a member of an amateur theatrical company playing for patriotic funds during WWI he served as producer, stage manager, librettist, business manager, and comedian.

Although he enjoyed his involvement in theatre, Louis's business activities remained a priority. He nevertheless found time to write and publish poetry, occasional sketches, and newspaper articles. His sketch for touring English comedian Gene Gerrard in 1922 led to Hugh J. Ward offering him the opportunity to collaborate with English composer/music director Willy Redstone on an essentially Australian musical comedy adaptation of the London hit comedy Tons of Money.

Louis also collaborated as lyricist on the Australian revival of Kenneth L. Duffield and Dion Titheradge's revue, Snap (1924-25).