Finding Aid for the Charles Leslie Allen Playbook Collection, circa 1826-1900, undated

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

[Description and dates], Box/folder number, Charles Leslie Allen Playbook Collection, Central Library: Rare Book Room, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library.

Acquisition Information

See Librarian for acquisition information.

Processing Information

Collection processed by: Amy Vilz, October 2008

Finding aid encoded by: Amy Vilz, September 2010

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The Charles Leslie Allen Playbook Collection is open for research.

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Biographical History

Charles Leslie Allen was born in June, 1830 in Boston, Massachusetts. He performed in the first stage presentation of Uncle Tom’s Cabin in Troy, New York in 1852. “Before he made his professional debut at Troy… he appeared in many amateur productions, and in one of these in Boston he spoke the last words on the stage of the Old Drury Theatre. He made his first appearance in New York in 1880 at Wallack’s in Kit, but prior to that he was for many years a member of the stock company at the Boston Theatre. In 1887 Mr. Allen appeared in Julia Marlowe’s company, and among his roles was Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night, a part he also played with Modjeska on one of her American tours. From 1892-1896 he was in John Drew’s supporting company, and since 1900 he had played mostly in his daughter’s companies.”*

Allen was best known as the father of Viola Allen, a famous stage actress in her own right, who performed in Buffalo eleven times between 1900 and 1910. In 1910, she starred in the world debut of Love in Livery, February 15 and 16, at the Star Theatre. Charles Leslie Allen died February 23, 1917 in Stamford, Connecticut.

_{* Obituary, The New York Times, February 24, 1917, pp. 9.}

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Scope and Contents

This collection contains a series of 18 prompt books and plays belonging to actor Charles Leslie Allen. These playbooks were performance copies, with most signed and annotated by Allen. Many are in fragile condition; caution is advised.

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Arrangement

Alphabetical by playbook title.

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Subject Headings

Persons

Subjects

Places

Genres and Forms

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Inventory

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