Turner Sims Concert Hall
on20th November 1994
Leslie Thomas is one of Britains most popular writers; a best selling novelist, a travel writer and a television and radio personality. Born in 1931 in Barry, Glamorgan of a seafaring family, he found himself, at the age of 12, in an orphanage following his father’s drowning in the South Atlantic during a U-boat attack on a wartime convoy. Within six months his mother also died. From Dr. Barnardo’s in Kingsbridge, Devon he was subsequently sent to their home in Kingston-Upon-Thames. At 16 he attended College to learn Shorthand and Typing; and at 17 got his first job (at first unpaid) with the Walthamstow Guardian. Called up at 18 into the Royal Army Pay Corps, he was posted in January 1950 to Singapore. During this time he continued to submit articles to U.K newspapers - and letters advising them of their good fortune that he would be. available to work for them when he was demobbed! The only offer came from the ‘Willesden Citizen’ where he worked for 21 years, followed by a time as sub editor at the Exchange Telegraph in the City. His goal was achieved when he was appointed a reporter on the London ‘Evening News’. As part of Fleet Street’s ‘Flying Circus’ he visited many parts of the world, covering Royal visits, the Eichman trial, Ian Smith’s UDI in Rhodesia and Harold Wilson in the Scilly Isles. His first book was published in 1963.
The Company (in order of speaking) |
Tom Stansbridge |
Molly Manns |
Belinda Drew |
Sarah Humphrey |
Philippa Taylor |
Jan Shrouder |
Ken Spencer |
Ben O’Donohoe |
Marian Westbury |
Alec Walters |
Sheana Carrington |
Sonia Morris |
Michael Patterson |
Brian Stansbridge |
Angela Stansbridge |
For the Maskers | |
Produced by | Michael Patterson |
Pianos | Michael Patterson, Belinda Drew |
Lighting | Ron Tillyer |
Sound | Lawrie Gee |
INTERVAL