Alfred Lester, real name Alfred Edwin Leslie, was an English actor and comedian. Born into a theatrical family, he learnt his craft touring in melodramas, as a young man, but made his reputation as a comedian in musical comedy, music hall and, later, revue.
Lester in the 1900s
Lester (right) with George Robey and Violet Lorraine in The Bing Boys Are Here (1916)
The Arcadians is an Edwardian musical comedy styled a "Fantastic Musical Play" in three acts with a book by Mark Ambient and Alexander M. Thompson, lyrics by Arthur Wimperis, and music by Lionel Monckton and Howard Talbot. The story concerns some idyllic Arcadians who wish to transform wicked London to a land of truth and simplicity.
Scene from The Arcadians, 1909
Postcard advertising the original production
Climax of Act II, with Simplicitas riding "The Deuce"
The luckless jockey Peter Doody