Fred Leslie - papers, 1873-1964, together with research notes prepared by Paul Bentley, 1991

MLMSS 7077/Box 1
MLMSS 7077/Boxes 2X-8X

fonds

1873 - 1964; 1991

Textual Records, Drawings, Manuscript Notated Music, Notated Music, Photographs

133077

8 boxes - 1.03 metres of textual material (1 box, 7 outsize boxes) includes photographs
Drawings
Textual Records
Music - (manuscript scores)

Fred Leslie, actor, dancer, choreographer and producer was born Frederick William Daniel Stoneham in Melbourne ca. 1882. Leslie's family had long been associated with music and theatre in Australia. His grandfather William Stoneham was bandmaster of the first volunteer band organised in Australia and a musician with circuses, operas and concerts. His father Fred, and Uncle Will, were successful variety entertainers who performed as the Leslie Brothers in Australia, America and the United Kingdom. As a child Leslie performed small song and dance parts with them for various companies in Australia, including Harry Rickards' Tivoli circuit. Leslie joined J C Williamson in 1901, where he performed as a dancer and choreographer and in character roles until 1914. During this period, his main partners in dance routines were Tilly Woodlock and later Ivy Schilling. Leslie, his wife Nellie Borthwick (a solo dancer in Pollard's Opera Company and for J C Williamson's) and daughter Maisie left Australia for Europe in 1914. Fred Leslie and Ivy Schilling (or Shilling, as she then preferred to be called) performed their dance routines successfully in England for some time. Following Shilling's departure, Leslie continued to work in London and in British provincial theatre, mainly as a choreographer and producer of reviews, pantomime and musicals and occasionally as a performer, until the late 1940s when he returned to Australia.

CORRESPONDENCE

1905 - 1943; Family correspondence, congratulatory letters and telegrams. Correspondents include Gustave Ramaciotti. (Call No.: MLMSS 7077/1)

MISCELLANEOUS PERSONAL PAPERS

1912 - 1949; Includes page from passport with photograph, Green Line Coach Map of London and Environs, handwritten performance notes, address book, 1912 Certificate of Membership of Thespian Lodge No. 256 Sydney of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales of Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons. (Call No.: MLMSS 7077/1)

MUSIC MANUSCRIPTS

Dates unknown; By Fred Leslie: The captain; Cock-a-doodle-do; I'm a jolly good fellow. It's my birthday; Pop! as we toddle along; Sneezing; Shaftesbury Avenues up again; By Fred Leslie and Arthur Le Clerq: Policemen quartette; Composer unknown: Lets go pots! and have a party; Untitled; Includes some manuscript and typescript lyrics. (Call No.: MLMSS 7077/1)

RESEARCH NOTES

1991; Research notes concerning Fred Leslie, the Leslie (Stoneham) family, Nellie Borthwick, Ivy Schilling,(later Shilling), and British actor Fred Leslie. Prepared by Paul Bentley, Dennis Wolanski Library of the Performing Arts, Sydney Opera House. (Call No.: MLMSS 7077/1)

PRINTED MATERIAL

1924-1937; Printed Music. Contents: It had to be you/lyric by Gus Kahn, music by Isham Jones. New York: copyright 1924; Phil the fluter's ball/words and music by W P French. London: Keith Prowse & Co. Ltd., copyright 1937; Lambeth walk/lyrics by Arthur Rose and Douglas Furber, music by Noel Gay. London: Cinephonic Music Co. Ltd., copyright 1937. (Call No.: MLMSS 7077/1)
1902-1964; Newscuttings. Includes newscuttings concerning fashion designer Maisie Leslie (Fred Leslie's daughter), 1930-1931. (Call No.: MLMSS 7077/1)
1919; 1936; Commemorative newspapers. Includes the London Daily Mail, Golden Peace Number, 30 June 1919 and the Weekly Illustrated, Special In Memoriam Number, The life and reign of King George V. (Call No.: MLMSS 7077/1)
1894 - ?1949; Programs. Most for theatrical performances with which Fred Leslie was associated. (Call No.: MLMSS 7077/2X)

SCRAPBOOKS

1884-1960; Scrapbook. Includes newscuttings, programs and photographs. (Call No.: MLMSS 7077/3X)
c. 1900-?; Scrapbook. Mainly concerning Nellie Borthwick. (Call No.: MLMSS 7077/3X)

PHOTOGRAPHS AND DRAWINGS

For details of pictorial material see attached record.