Difference between revisions of "Adam Leslie"
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| − | + | (1916-1979). Designer, couturier, restaurateur, columnist and performer of socio-political satire. Leslie established intimate revue as a popular theatrical form in South Africa. | |
| − | + | == Biography == | |
| − | He did costumes for Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee’s ''[[Auntie Mame]]'' which [[Taubie Kushlick]] directed at the [[Brooke Theatre]] in 1965. [[Shirley Hepburn]] starred in the title role. He presented ''[[The Merry Minstrel Show]]'' at the [[Intimate Theatre|Intimate]] in September 1966. Circa 1967 he had been presenting shows almost continuously for roughly a year, including ''[[Adam Leslie Repeats]]''. Together with his partner, [[Bill Hudson]], he restored the old College of Music of Johannesburg, and so The [[Adam Leslie Theatre]] opened its doors on 27 August 1967 with the show ''[[Music Hall Revue]]'', starring Adam Leslie and Joan Blake. It was directed and designed by Anthony Farmer | + | Born Leslie Jacobson in Salisbury on 22nd May, 1916, |
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| + | == Training == | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | == Career == | ||
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| + | He worked in England for a number of years, returning to South Africa in 1956. | ||
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| + | |||
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| + | ==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Between 1956 and 1977 he devised/directed more than 30 revues, cabarets and music-hall productions, most notably ''[[Sextet]]'' (with [[Anthony Farmer]] and [[Ralph Trewhela]], 1957) ''[[Let Your Hair Down]]'' (1958), ''[[Two’s Company]]'' (1960-1961) and ''[[Hair Hair]]'' (1970-1972), many in his own theatre, The [[Adam Leslie Theatre]] in Johannesburg. Promoted many performers, including [[Joan Blake]], [[Heather Lloyd-Jones]], [[Diane Wilson]], [[Richard Loring]] and [[Shelagh Holliday]]. Costume and other designs include ''[[Auntie Mame]]'' (1965). | ||
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| + | He contributed material to the show ''[[Sextet]]'' which was devised and writen by [[Anthony Farmer]], with music by [[Ralph Trewhela]]. Starring [[Olive Wright]], [[Olive King]], [[Norma Vorster]], [[Dennis Hale]], [[Jimmy Mentis]] and [[Tommy Tucker]] in 1957. He starred in the cabaret ''[[Adam and Joan]]'' at [[Cicero's]], the fashionable nightclub in Johannesburg with [[Joan Blake]] in 1957. This lead to a series of revues which took the town by storm. The biginning of 1959 saw the continuing success of Leslie’s smash hit revue, ''[[Let Your Hair Down]]''. It was staged at the [[Intimate Theatre]] (formerly the YMCA) as 1958 drew to its close, starring Leslie himself, [[Joan Blake]], [[Hilda Kriseman]], visiting American [[Eric Micklewood]], and a three-girl chorus. He joined forces with [[Anthony Farmer]] and composer [[Ralph Trewhela]] to create the satirical revue ''[[I Spy]]'' in 1959. He wrote and starred in ''[[For Love or Money]]'' which was the inaugural production of the [[Playhouse]] in October 1960. [[Michael Finlayson]] directed this show also starring [[Joan Blake]], [[Olive King]], and comedian [[Garth Meade]]. He staged Anthony Newley’s revue ''[[Stop the World, I Want to Get Off]]'', starring [[Anna Quayle]] and [[Michael McGovern]] for the [[Johannesburg Repertory Society|Reps]] in 1964. [[Albert Ninio]] directed this production which ran for fourteen weeks and formed part of the [[Johannesburg Festival]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | He did costumes for Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee’s ''[[Auntie Mame]]'' which [[Taubie Kushlick]] directed at the [[Brooke Theatre]] in 1965. [[Shirley Hepburn]] starred in the title role. He presented ''[[The Merry Minstrel Show]]'' at the [[Intimate Theatre|Intimate]] in September 1966. Circa 1967 he had been presenting shows almost continuously for roughly a year, including ''[[Adam Leslie Repeats]]''. He staged the revue Strike it Rich in 1967, starring himself, [[Joan Blake]], [[George Korelin]] and [[Judy Layne]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | == The [[Adam Leslie Theatre]] == | ||
| + | |||
| + | Together with his partner, [[Bill Hudson]], he restored the old College of Music of Johannesburg, and so The [[Adam Leslie Theatre]] opened its doors on 27 August 1967 with the show ''[[Music Hall Revue]]'', starring [[Adam Leslie]] and [[Joan Blake]]. It was directed and designed by [[Anthony Farmer]]. [[Marjorie Gordon]] replaced Joan during the run ***** He died in Johannesburg on 25th April 1979. *** | ||
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| + | == Awards, etc == | ||
| + | |||
| + | [McMurtry] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | == Sources == | ||
| + | |||
| + | Tucker, 1997 | ||
| + | |||
| + | Go to [[South African Theatre/Bibliography]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Return to == | ||
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[ESAT Personalities L]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Personalities|South African Theatre Personalities]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[The ESAT Entries]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[Main Page]] | ||
Revision as of 05:57, 19 April 2014
(1916-1979). Designer, couturier, restaurateur, columnist and performer of socio-political satire. Leslie established intimate revue as a popular theatrical form in South Africa.
Contents
Biography
Born Leslie Jacobson in Salisbury on 22nd May, 1916,
Training
Career
He worked in England for a number of years, returning to South Africa in 1956.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
Between 1956 and 1977 he devised/directed more than 30 revues, cabarets and music-hall productions, most notably Sextet (with Anthony Farmer and Ralph Trewhela, 1957) Let Your Hair Down (1958), Two’s Company (1960-1961) and Hair Hair (1970-1972), many in his own theatre, The Adam Leslie Theatre in Johannesburg. Promoted many performers, including Joan Blake, Heather Lloyd-Jones, Diane Wilson, Richard Loring and Shelagh Holliday. Costume and other designs include Auntie Mame (1965).
He contributed material to the show Sextet which was devised and writen by Anthony Farmer, with music by Ralph Trewhela. Starring Olive Wright, Olive King, Norma Vorster, Dennis Hale, Jimmy Mentis and Tommy Tucker in 1957. He starred in the cabaret Adam and Joan at Cicero's, the fashionable nightclub in Johannesburg with Joan Blake in 1957. This lead to a series of revues which took the town by storm. The biginning of 1959 saw the continuing success of Leslie’s smash hit revue, Let Your Hair Down. It was staged at the Intimate Theatre (formerly the YMCA) as 1958 drew to its close, starring Leslie himself, Joan Blake, Hilda Kriseman, visiting American Eric Micklewood, and a three-girl chorus. He joined forces with Anthony Farmer and composer Ralph Trewhela to create the satirical revue I Spy in 1959. He wrote and starred in For Love or Money which was the inaugural production of the Playhouse in October 1960. Michael Finlayson directed this show also starring Joan Blake, Olive King, and comedian Garth Meade. He staged Anthony Newley’s revue Stop the World, I Want to Get Off, starring Anna Quayle and Michael McGovern for the Reps in 1964. Albert Ninio directed this production which ran for fourteen weeks and formed part of the Johannesburg Festival.
He did costumes for Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee’s Auntie Mame which Taubie Kushlick directed at the Brooke Theatre in 1965. Shirley Hepburn starred in the title role. He presented The Merry Minstrel Show at the Intimate in September 1966. Circa 1967 he had been presenting shows almost continuously for roughly a year, including Adam Leslie Repeats. He staged the revue Strike it Rich in 1967, starring himself, Joan Blake, George Korelin and Judy Layne.
The Adam Leslie Theatre
Together with his partner, Bill Hudson, he restored the old College of Music of Johannesburg, and so The Adam Leslie Theatre opened its doors on 27 August 1967 with the show Music Hall Revue, starring Adam Leslie and Joan Blake. It was directed and designed by Anthony Farmer. Marjorie Gordon replaced Joan during the run ***** He died in Johannesburg on 25th April 1979. ***
Awards, etc
[McMurtry]
Sources
Tucker, 1997
Go to South African Theatre/Bibliography
Return to
Return to ESAT Personalities L
Return to South African Theatre Personalities
Return to The ESAT Entries
Return to Main Page
Return to ESAT Personalities L
Return to South African Theatre Personalities
Return to Main Page
