Adam Leslie Theatre
A popular Johannesburg theatre between 1967 and 1975.
Origins
Established in End Street, Doornfontein, Johannesburg in what was originally the School of Music designed by Sir Herbert Baker in 1905 and built in 1906, and served as such till 1966.
Acquired by Adam Leslie and Bill Hudson in 1966, who restored and converted it into a theatre (seating 230) with restaurant and bar, to recreate the music-hall ambience of London Players’ Theatre and the social life of Johannesburg in 1880s. (Also referred to as Adam leslie's Theatre and Restaurantin the South African Casting Directory. )
Performances 1967-1975
Adam Leslie's own work
The theatre Opened its doors on 27 August 1967 with Leslie’s Music Hall Revue, directed and designed by Anthony Farmer and running for six months. . foollowed by the revue Strike it Rich (1967), starring himself, Joan Blake, George Korelin and Judy Layne. Marjorie Gordon replaced Joan during the run. Other Adam Leslie shows included Adam’s Laugh-In and Adam Scrapes the Barrel (1975), which proved to be the last show at the theatre, which closed 31/12/1975.
Other work
Besides Leslie's own work the space was also utilized for many other productions and over the years had promoted the careers of many performers, including Joan Blake, Heather Lloyd-Jones, Diane Wilson, Richard Loring and Shelagh Holliday.
See Percy Tucker, 1997
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