Harry Leybourne

Harry Leybourne (born about 1873), British music hall comedian, impersonator and pantomime dame
(photos: Charles & Russell, Belfast, circa 1908)

Percy G. Williams Theatre, Washington, DC, September 1909
‘The first appearance in America of Harry Leybourne, who is said to be one of the most versatile of English mimics, will be in the Percy G. Williams theatre.’
(The Washington Times, Washington, DC, Friday, 10 September 1909, p. 8g)

‘Harry Leybourne.
‘Pianolog Comedian.
‘18 Mins.; Full Stage (Close in One).
‘Colonial [Theatre, New York City, week beginning Monday, 27 September 1909].
‘Mr. Leybourne first appears in frock coat and light trousers in the conventional street dress and sings several songs, either accompanying himself on the piano or with the aid of the orchestra. The surprise of the act is his quick change into woman’s garb near the finish. The transformation is made in a twinkling and is followed by a burlesque female impersonation. These is plenty of laughable material in both parts of the turn, and the Colonial audience endorse it Monday evening when it played ”No. 2” on a big bill.’
(Variety, New York, Saturday, 2 October 1909, p. 16b)

Harry Leybourne has been noted as a singer of Herbert Rule and Fred Holt’s comic song, ‘Ours Is a Nice House Ours Is,’ which was recorded for Columbia (Col 887) in London by Alfred Lester in 1921. Leybourne’s pantomime engagements included Fred Fulton’s Cinderella at His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, Christmas season, 1920/21.

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