Leslie French


Leslie Richard French was a British actor of stage and screen.
French was primarily a theatre actor, as well as a director, singer and dancer, with a varied career that included the classics, musical revue, pantomime and ballet. He became most associated with the role of Ariel in William Shakespeare's The Tempest, and over the years he essayed many of Shakespeare's spirits and clowns, such as Puck, Feste and Touchstone.

Early life

French was born in Bromley, Kent, in 1904 and was educated at the London School of Choristers. He made his first appearance as a child actor in a 1914 Christmas show at the Little Theatre and left school the same year to join the touring Ben Greet Company as a stagehand and prompter. Hired as an understudy in the West End to Bobby Howes in the musical Mr. Cinders, French played the title role when the play went on regional tour.

Theatre

In 1930, he joined the Old Vic company, where he played Poins in Henry IV, Part I, Eros in Antony and Cleopatra, the Fool in King Lear and the role with which he became most associated with, Ariel in The Tempest. This latter role saw him share the stage with contemporaries John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson, the first time these two actors appeared on stage together. French was the first male actor to essay the role of Ariel for many years and did so in nothing more than a small loincloth, helping to make this version something of a talking point at the time. French and Gielgud were also the inspiration for Eric Gill's carving of Prospero and Ariel above the entrance to the then new Broadcasting House in Portland Place.
French continued his stage career at the Old Vic and later the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park, specialising in Shakespeare's spirits and clowns, such as Puck, Feste, Touchstone and of course Ariel, roles greatly enhanced by his singing and dancing ability. He also directed several plays including successful stagings of The Taming of the Shrew and As You Like It. French also appeared in musicals, such as Fritzi, revue, pantomime and ballet.

Maynardville open-air theatre

In 1955 he helped to establish the new Shakespearean seasons at the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre in Cape Town, South Africa. This theatre, which had opened a short while before, on 1 December 1950, had multi-racial casts performing to multi-racial audiences. In 1963 he was awarded the key to the city for his work with the theatre.

Film and television

French made the occasional foray into film, appearing in two Luchino Visconti films, The Leopard and Death in Venice, as well as many British television programmes. These included Dixon of Dock Green, Armchair Theatre, Z-Cars, The Avengers, Jason King and The Singing Detective. His role as Mr. Woodhouse in a BBC serial of Jane Austen's Emma is considered one of his most memorable screen performances. French was also considered for the role of the First Doctor in the science fiction series Doctor Who; William Hartnell was cast. He finally appeared in the programme in its 1988 serial, Silver Nemesis, playing the Mathematician.

Selected filmography

Radio Pirates – LesliePeg of Old Drury – Alexander PopeThis England – JohnnyThe Wallet Orders to Kill – Marcel LafitteThe Scapegoat – LacosteThe Singer Not the Song – Father GomezThe Leopard – Cavalier ChevallyThe Rescue Squad – Mr. ManseMore Than a Miracle – Brother Giuseppe de CoopertinoDeath in Venice – Travel AgentInvitation to the Wedding – HobbsThe Living Daylights – Lavatory AttendantYoung Toscanini – Comparsa