William Lestocq (born Lestock Boileau Wooldridge; 1852 – 16 October 1920) was a British theatre manager, playwright, and actor.(20 October 1920). William Lestocq (obituary), New York Tribune(20 October 1920). William Lestocq is Dead, The Evening World
He was born in Winchester, Hants, adopting his stage name when he began acting seriously in 1869. He was a member of the Vaudeville Theatre company from 1873 to 1885, where his parts included being in the original cast of Our Boys (1875).(3 November 1897). A Chat With Mr. W. Lestocq, The Sketch, p. 82 A nephew was Humphrey Lestocq, film star.
His authorship credits (often as co-author) include the plays A Bad Penny (1882), The Sultan of Mocha (1887), Uncles and Aunts (1888), In Danger (1889), Jane (1890) (with Harry Nicholls), The Sportsman (1893) (adaptation of Monsieur chasse! by Georges Feydeau), and The Foundling (1894) (with E.M. Robson).Who's Who in the Theatre, p. 377 (1916)
Lestocq was Charles Frohman's representative in London for many years, a relationship which began when Frohman saw the play Jane in London.The Life of Charles Frohman, Cosmopolitan, p. 426 (1915) He would acquire the American rights for English plays for Frohman.
In 1919 Lestocq's play The Foundling was turned into a musical called Nobody's Boy.Wearing, J. P. The London Stage 1910–1919: A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel (London: Scarecrow Press, 1982), p.
Lestocq died in London on 16 October 1920.(18 October 1920). "Fifty Years in Theatrical World", Pall Mall Gazette, p. 4
References
External links Jane: A Farce in Three Acts (with Harry Nicholls) Uncles and Aunts: A Farcical Comedy in Three Acts (with Walter Everard)