Henry Leslie (playwright)

Henry Leslie (1822-1881) was a British playwright, composer, and conductor. He is primarily remembered for his work in popular theatre, particularly his adaptations and original musical plays.

Leslie began his musical career as a chorister at Westminster Abbey. He was a prolific composer of glees and other choral pieces. He also established his own choir, initially known as Leslie's Choir and later as the Henry Leslie Choir, which gained a considerable reputation for its high standard of performance.

However, Leslie also pursued a career in theatre, writing libretti and scores for numerous light operas, operettas, and burlesques. He achieved popular success with works such as The Magic Bequest and Romany's Revenge. Though these pieces are largely forgotten today, they were well-received by audiences in their time and contributed to the development of the Victorian musical stage.

His dramatic output reflects the prevailing tastes of the mid-19th century, often incorporating elements of melodrama, spectacle, and broad comedy. While not considered a major figure in literary history, Henry Leslie played a significant role in the landscape of popular entertainment during the Victorian era. He also wrote an autobiography titled Musical Recollections of More Than Half a Century.