Matt Newton to have role in Bert’s funeral despite absence

Matthew Newton won’t be attending his father Bert’s funeral in person, but he will still have a role in the ceremony.

Eddie McGuire said he was deeply honoured to perform the eulogy at the state funeral of television and radio legend Bert Newton.

“It comes to me as a kid who used to beg mum and dad to stay up late to watch Bert’s Wheel (on the 1970s variety program The Don Lane Show),” broadcaster McGuire said.

“I’m deeply honoured that Patti asked me to speak on her behalf, and that Bert was keen for me to do it.

“I hope in the short time frame I’ve been allowed by the office of protocol, I do it justice for Bert’s family and friends.”

McGuire said Newton should be remembered as a broadcasting and entertainment giant who transcended media.

“He was the boy from Fitzroy who became our first Moomba king who was also on the TV, radio and stage,” McGuire said.

“He imbued Melbourne and at the same time, he drove it, culturally, and with a sense of humour.

Bert with wife Patti, daughter Lauren and son-in-law Matt Welsh. Picture: David Caird

“The thing I learned mostly from Bert was his professionalism. He was gun, he was a master.”

Newton’s funeral will be at St Patrick’s Cathedral in East Melbourne.

The service – a Catholic requiem mass – will be broadcast live on heraldsun.com.au and on television.

Five hundred people will attend, most of them dignitaries, and many personally invited by Patti Newton and family.

Patti chose the hymns and prayers for the service. It is believed musical theatre star Rhonda Burchmore will read a passage from the Bible as part of the proceedings.

Bert and Patti’s children, Lauren and Matthew, have written messages which will be read at the service.

Matthew Newton will not be attending his father’s funeral. Picture: WireImage

Matthew, an actor and director who is based in New York, will not attend the funeral.

TV and radio personalities attending include Andy Lee, Peter Hitchener, Sam Newman, Denis Walter and Tom Elliott.

Patti also invited former make-up, wardrobe and production workers who Bert respected.

BROADWAY STYLE TRIBUTE FOR BERT

Melbourne’s theatre district will dim the lights in honour of showbiz king Bert Newton on Thursday night.

TV and radio legend Newton, who died on October 30, was also a musical theatre star with roles in Beauty and the Beast, The Sound of Music, The Producers, Annie, The Rocky Horror Show, Wicked and Grease.

Jason Marriner, chief executive of Marriner Group, which owns the Princess, Regent, Comedy and Forum theatres, said: “Bert made an enormous contribution to the theatre, and we should be forever grateful that so many of his iconic performances were on the stages of Melbourne’s East End theatres.”

Bert Newton, as the narrator, with the case of the Rocky Horror Show. Picture: Bob Barker

Newton on stage in Wicked.

Mike Walsh, owner of Her Majesty’s Theatre, added: “Bert was a great professional and an esteemed colleague and friend.”

Newton also starred in The Wizard of Oz and The Producers, which were produced by impresario John Frost.

“Bert was a wonderful mentor to younger performers, a warm and stable gentleman in every company. Thank you Bert for all the laughs over the years; our industry is a lonelier place without you.”

The lights tribute is a time-honoured tradition on Broadway reserved for honouring significant contributors to the industry.

LEAVE YOUR TRIBUTE TO BERT IN THE COMMENTS, OR EMAIL US [e-mail]

In Wicked, Newton played the Wizard, opposite leading ladies Jemma Rix and Lucy Durack.

Rix said Newton taught her to roll with the punches while performing.

“You can take things too seriously as a performer. If you make a mistake, you can eat yourself up a bit,” Rix said.

Newton will be farewelled at a state funeral on Friday.

“To see someone of Bert’s calibre laugh at himself, that was really valuable for me.

“It gives you permission to know it’s OK that you’re not perfect, and you can have fun with the humanity of being a performer.”

As Newton is farewelled at a state funeral on Friday, Rix will prepare for her role in Frozen, which opens at Her Majesty’s Theatre, that night.

The theatre district lights will be dimmed for one minute at 7.30pm.