Leonie rehearsing with the seeming approval of James Allen

Who would your local hero be? In a lively response to the Historical Association’s question, Leonie Gasson proposed Edward Alleyn and mounted a vigorous argument in his support. Leonie’s talk was as colourful as the man himself and the audience loved her warmth; she made them laugh, but (thankfully) not cry. The standard of this London heat held at Westminster School was said by the judges to be as high as the finals last year. Sadly Edward Alleyn was pipped by Marie Stopes as the local hero of the London region, but a lot of people now know more about the theatre manager and entrepreneur whose vision sparked the education we enjoy today at Dulwich College, Alleyn’s and JAGS. You can listen to a pod cast of the London Heats at:  

http://www.history.org.uk/resources/general_resources_80.html