Background
Fred Leslie was born on April 1, 1855 in London, England, United Kingdom.
(Complete libretto. Hailed as "The Prince of Comedy and Bu...)
Complete libretto. Hailed as "The Prince of Comedy and Burlesque," Fred Leslie (pseudonym "A. C. Torr") was one of the 19th century's most celebrated writers of Victorian burlesques. Originally produced at Londons Gaiety Theatre, Miss Esmeralda was the pinnacle of musical burlesques. A re-imagining of Victor Hugos Hunchback of Notre Dame, the Gaietys production was bawdy and sensationalized. The story centers around the gypsy Esmeralda and her love interest Captain Phoebus, but Claude Forllo is smitten with her and when he can't have her, he frames her for murder. It is up to Quasimodo to prove her innocent and save her. The burlesque marks the first time a score was specially written for a Gaiety production, instead of borrowing from popular songs of the day.
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Actor comedian dramatist singer
Fred Leslie was born on April 1, 1855 in London, England, United Kingdom.
Fred Leslie made his first stage appearance in London as Colonel Hardy in Paul Pry in 1878.
He had a good voice, and in 1882 made a great hit as Rip Van Winkle in Planquette's opera of that name at the Comedy.
In 1885 he appeared at the Gaiety as Jonathan Wild in H. P. Stephens and W. Yardley's burlesque Little Jack Sheppard. His extraordinary success in this part determined his subsequent career, and for some years he and Nelly Farren, with whom he played in perfect association, were the pillars of Gaiety burlesque.
Leslie's " Don Caesar de Bazan " in Ruy Bias, or the Blase Roue, was perhaps the most popular of his later parts. In all of them it was his own versatility and entertaining personality which formed the attraction; whether he sang, danced, whistled or " gagged, " his performance was an unending flow of high spirits and ludicrous charm. Under the pseudonym of " A. C. Torr " he was acknowledged on the programmes as part-author of these burlesques, and while on occasion he acted in more serious comedy, for which he had undoubted capacity, his fame rests on his connexion with them. In 1881 and 1883 he played in America.
(Complete libretto. Hailed as "The Prince of Comedy and Bu...)
