Entrepreneur/comedian/writer/composer/lyricist
Although no details relating to Reg M. Thornton prior to 1918 have yet been located, the fact that he was running a circuit of shows throughout NSW and Victoria in 1919 indicates that he already established a reputation, at least within the lower levels of the variety industry. His name has first been identified as a comedian with Harry Clay in 1918. After completing a nine months contract with Clay he took over the lease of the Paris Gardens, Manly, and by the end of the year was running shows at the King's Theatre, Katoomba.
In late 1920, the "Kangaroosta" (as he was then known) founded the K-Nuts, a revolving troupe of vaudeville performers which initially comprised well-known performers such as Harry Little, Nat Hanley, Ern Crawford, Les Shipp and Hazel Fuller. After two years of management Thornton temporarily returned to just performing, taking up a senior position with Harry Clay as manager/producer/performer. By the end of 1921 he had reformed the K-Nuts and revived his circuit, this time taking shows out to Western NSW.
During the years 1922 to 1925 Thornton toured mostly with his wife Doris and her on-stage partner Tilly Menzies (as Tilly and Doris), working for various leading antipodian firms such as the Tivoli Circuit, Fullers Theatres and Harry Clay. Several of his revusicals were staged on the latter manager's circuit. The trio also played an extended engagement in South Africa.
Between 1926 and his untimely death in 1929, Thornton presented original topicalities around Australia in partnership his wife. The act eventually became known as Reg Thornton and Chicken.
[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]
