Entertainers in Vietnam DPR/TV/352

A troupe of Australian entertainers last week took the "big beat" to Australian soldiers in Viet Nam during a three-day tour of Army bases. In the fierce tropical heat of Bien Hoa Airbase they sang, danced and joked for 70 minutes to a packed audience of troops. Australian pop, ballad and folk music was presented by the popular Beaumarks' Band from their stage - the table top of a truck. Their efforts were obviously appreciated by the troops, who rounded off each performance with thunderous applause. The next phase in the programme was given by well-known Sydney group, the Delltones, who gave a sustained energetic performance despite stifling heat. Members of the group are Ian (Peewee) Wilson, Colin Loughan, Warren Lucas and Brian Perkins, all former members of Bronte Surf Life Saving Club. The most popular act with the soldiers was that given by exotic dancer Toni Rees, from Melbourne. With a backdrop of parachutes decorating her "stage", Toni launched into a series of Eastern dances which drew a roar of approval from the Diggers. After her show, Toni was surrounded by a crush of camera-clicking troops, all eager to record the great show for their photograph albums. During their three days in Viet Nam the entertainers performed at Bien Hoa Airbase, two military hospitals, an air force base and the Australian rest and convalescent centre at Vung Tau.