He has worked in all areas of the entertainment industry as an actor, broadcaster, writer and director, including a segment of Sydney 2000 Opening Ceremony. Lex has also held executive positions with, and served on boards and committees of many cultural organisations, and was awarded an OAM in 1994 for services to the performing arts.
Best known from TV series Kingswood Country, Embassy, S.C.O.O.P, Live & Sweaty, Ballzup, World Series Debating; Strictly Dancing, and Late Night Legends; ABC radio, and many theatre productions around Australia. Lex is a frequent speaker and writer on arts and cultural diversity; hosts numerous awards and community functions; and is guest tutor at several Theatre & Screen colleges.
Smith, James, 1820–1910
Papers (letters received), 1837 – 1909
Purchased 1944
ML MSS 212/1/239
Back Creek,
[Wednesday] 2nd January, 1861My dear Mr Smith,
Here we are in the central part of the diggings after having encountered all sorts of extraordinary adventures but I am happy to add that the pecuniary result of our expedition has hitherto been of a favourable character. We finish here tomorrow (Thursday) – play at Maryborough on Friday — Castlemaine on Saturday and Sandhurst, on Monday where we shall remain for twelve nights. Change of scene has been of great service although I cannot help at times feeling very anxious about what goes on in Melbourne. I sent a letter to the “Age” last week but am ignorant as to whether it was published or not. I have here got the most damnable and besottedly drunken set of wretches (with one or two exceptions) that ever a man had to deal with. We manage however despite of all the obstacles and annoyances to get on swimmingly. How is Mrs Smith and the young one – If you can spare a few moments I should be happy to have a few lines from you. Mrs and Miss Jones join me in wishing you and yours health and prosperity during the next twelvemonth and many happy returns of the season. Send us a paper to instruct and enlighten us during our peregrinations through this exceedingly uninteresting district. In the meantime believe me dear Mr Smith
Yours very truly
G.V. Brooke
Photographer unknown
Carte de visite Presented by Don AB Bertie, 1953
P1/234/B
Forty years ago as a student at the School of Drama – now NIDA – at the University of NSW, I researched these letters in my honours year. They further stimulated my interest in the history of Australian theatre.
James Smith was, among many things, a leading Melbourne theatre critic for the second half of the 19th century. Born in the England in 1820, he began his journalistic career there, until “I came out here in December 1854 and soon afterwards joined the Age newspaper for a time ... I joined the Argus in 1856 as leader writer, theatrical, fine arts, and literary critic ... In the year following I added to my other work that of editing Melbourne Punch, to which I had previously been a contributor.” (Letter to WJ Lawrence, 15 March 1892)
Smith was a prolific correspondent, and thanks to his longevity the letters span from 1857 to 1908, and include such theatrical luminaries as GV Brooke, George Coppin and JC Williamson.
They describe the vagaries of the working actors and managers during the development of Australian theatre. It was a period of great expansion and goldfield wealth. English and American stars and managers raised the standard of the colonial theatre. The letters describe the triumphs and failures, the friendships and rivalries. Many are requests for favourable consideration, but many are also genuine requests for advice and assistance from Smith as variously critic, agent, translator, dramatist, and friend.
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