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Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive
Edwin Kelly Edwin Kelly i(7105215 works by)
Born: Established: ca. 1830
c
Ireland,
c
Western Europe, Europe,
; Died: Ceased: 1 Jan 1900 Adelaide, South Australia,
Gender: Male
Arrived in Australia: 1878
Heritage: Irish
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BiographyHistory

Irish-born comedian, singer, interlocutor, troupe proprietor, actor, manager, doctor.

After graduating as a surgeon from London’s St. George’s Hospital, Edwin J. Kelly moved to the USA to establish a practice in Boston but found himself drawn to minstrelsy. Possessing a fine tenor voice he debuted with Ordway’s Aeoloians in 1858 and later found fame with Kelly and Leon’s Minstrels (1863-1880). He and Francis Leon brought their company to Australia in 1878 and after ending their partnership in 1880 Kelly remained in the country, specialising in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas for J. C. Williamson’s. He died in Adelaide during an engagement with the Myra Kemble Company.

[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]

Most Referenced Works

Last amended 6 Mar 2014 11:44:34
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