Max Cryer

Max Cryer is one of New Zealand's best-known entertainers. He has been a singer, compere, television presenter, radio host and quizmaster. He has represented New Zealand at many cultural events, and for eleven years he has answered radio listeners' questions about the English language.His books on language have three times reached the top of NZ's non-fiction best-seller list.

Max's professional career began as a soloist at Sadlers Wells Opera in London, then he moved into cabaret and television work throughout Europe and New Zealand then America. He has recorded 15 long-playing albums, made over 200 television entertainment appearances, hosted twelve different television series, and been awarded ‘Entertainer of the Year.’

An offer from a Hollywood-based entertainment agency resulted in his being contracted for ten years to perform in USA, where he made 17 tours as a cabaret and tv performer throughout California, Las Vegas, Florida, New York, and Chicago.

Returning to NZ, his stage appearances include Henry Higgins in “My Fair Lady,” the King of Siam in “The King and I,” and Count Danilo in “The Merry Widow”. Max hosted NZ’s first ever live talk-variety show “Town Cryer” for three years, then became a staff producer for TVNZ for the following ten years, and produced ten series of “Mastermind” and “University Challenge.”

He was seconded from TVNZ by the NZ Government to direct all entertainment at two World Expos, ( 1988 Brisbane and 1992 Seville ) during which he organised a total of two thousand NZ performances over both Expos, including one thousand Maori cultural performances. He also co-ordinated the production of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's best-selling record of Maori songs. Back in NZ he made his last appearance in opera at the opening of the Aotea Centre in Auckland, as Prince Orlovsky in “Die Fledermaus,” with Dame Malvina Major.

A university graduate with a Master’s degree in Language and Literature, former Chairman of the Oxford Union debates, and a judge of the Montana Book Award, Max appears frequently as announcer and host for major musical events, as narrator with orchestras, and as Master of Ceremonies for visiting notables( e.g. for Prince Charles; Charlton Heston; Countess Mountbatten) and is a frequent and popular speaker on the subject of language at corporate functions and conferences throughout New Zealand.He was awarded the MBE by The Queen in 1994.