Minstrel comedian/writer/ librettist/songwriter/journalist.
The son of a Hobart doctor and brother of actor Walter Keen, Lance Lenton has first been identified with the Royal Coliseum (Melbourne) in early 1873. He reportedly started out his career, however, with Frank Weston's Minstrels and then later as an assistant to a conjurerv (Corry, p.28). This would appear to be confirmed by his stature by that time, with his April appearance at the Coliseum declaring 'Return of Lance Lenton, favourite Ethiopian songs and dances. Great favourite' (
Argus 1 April 1873, p.8).
Lenton's theatrical career saw him initially establish himself as a Negro and Dutch character comedian, before he discovered a talent for concocting smart topical verses. He subsequently turned his facile and inventive wit to writing numerous songs, sketches, burlesques and at least nine pantomimes. Among the artists to have had hits with his songs were
F.M. Clark,
Slade Murray,
Alf Lawton and Clara Spencer,
W. Horace Bent and
Will Whitburn's (including his two biggest hits, 'The Larrikin Hop' and 'Woolloomooloo'). Lenton's sketches and burlesques were staged by such troupes as
Hiscocks Federal Minstrels (notably
All Black and
Uncle Tom's Cabin Re-painted), the
Cogill Brothers, Rose Clifford's Bohemian Musical Comedy Company and
Slade Murray's Gaiety Burlesque Co. He was also in demand as a dramatic actor at times, appearing with Hiscocks and Haymen's Dramatic Co (New Zealand 1879) and
Coppin, Hennings and Greville (1888) among other firms.
Although Lenton retired as a performer in the late 1880s to work as a journalist for Sydney's
Evening News, he continued to write for the stage and occasionally appear at special events. He died after a fall at his home in Nithsdale Street in the Sydney central business district. He was survived by his wife and daughter, variety artist, Olive Lenton.
[Source:
Australian Variety Theatre Archive]
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