Knockabout comedian, humourist, raconteur, animal impersonator, journalist
Best known around Australia and New Zealand during the first decade of the 20th century as half of the knockabout comedy partnership Morris and Wilson, Alf "Redhead" Wilson had begun to establish his professional reputation in the mid-1890s through engagements with such company's as Hiscocks' Federal Minstrels. In 1902 he Joe Morris were teamed together by for John F. Sheridan for his Christmas pantomime Cinderella. Morris, a former circus clown and acrobat with the Fitzgerald Bros, and Wilson, typically billed as an eccentric comedian and "Ethiopian" entertainer, were hired to play Clown and Pantaloon in the Harlequinade. Over the next two years they found engagements with Harry Rickards, the Gaiety Novelty Entertainers and J. C. Bain before taking roles in William Anderson's 1904 production of Sinbad the Sailor (Melbourne).
Between 1905 and their departure overseas ca. 1912, the comedians presented their specialist knockabout sketches around Australia and New Zealand on the Tivoli circuit as well as with F. M. Clark, John Fuller and Sons, James Brennan, Holland and St John and Lucas' Vaudeville Co. They also appeared in a revival of Anderson's Sinbad the Sailor (Sydney) and two J.C. Williamson pantomimes - Jack and Jill (1908) and Aladdin (1909). Among their most popular sketch routines were "Scenes in Chinatown," "Troublesome Tramps" and "The Eccentric Cooks."
After touring overseas for several years, Wilson returned to Australia without Morris in late 1916, having refined his act to that of an athletic humorist/ raconteur. He also offered his services in creating pantomimes and revue, with Harry Clay advantage of this around the end of the year. The following year Wilson began contributing feature articles to Australian Variety and Show World, with the topics ranging from industrial issues to reminiscences ("In the Sandhill Days") and "Humour from the Dressing Room." His theatrical engagements over 1917/18 included a tour of the East with Frederick Shipman's Fantastics, and touring circuits such as Birch and Carroll (Queensland) and the Tivoli.
In 1919 Wilson took up a position as advertising manager with Sydney tailors, Verey-Phillips. His last appearances found to date were during a season at Perth's Melrose Theatre in 1920, in which he continued to contribute athletic reminiscences, acrobatics, and old farce's such as "The Chinese Laundry."
[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]
