Kenneth Ledward is the young man who could have gone into opera, or who could have gone into pantomime - but has gone sheep-farming in New Zealand.
Singer, pianist, trumpet player, hockey player, athlete and a former star of Wallasey Athletic Club, he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank K. Ledward of 150 Edgehill Road, Moreton, who until recently lived in Castleway North, Leasowe.
Kenneth, who will be 22 on November 16th, had obtained a singing appointment in this year's George Formby, pantomine, at the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool, 'Babes in the Wood' but gave it up to emigrate to New Zealand with his friend, Alex Lillie, of Woodchurch, Birkenhead. They sailed from Glasgow last week in the 'Captain Hobson' and will reach Wellington, N.Z., on December 7th.
They had worked together in Spillers' head office in Liverpool.
Recently, Kenneth was one of the only two person's accepted for the Covent Garden Opera Company at a big audition in London, but decided, after consulting his music teacher, that the work would not suit his light tenor voice.
He was accepted also for the D'Oyly Carte Company, but at the time they had no suitable vacancy for six months.
Last summer he won two or three talent contests, including one at the Tower Theatre, and sang with the band on the Pier. He has sung in the Wallasey children's choir, and with the former Phoenix Opera Company, Liverpool and Wallasey Grand Opera Company. and when he took part in 'H.M.S. Pinafore' at Liscard Secondary Modern School, Manor Road under Mr. Burgon the leading lady was Rita Hunter, who is now making a name for herself in opera.
Kenneth used to play for Wallasey Hockey Club, and ran for Wallasey Athletic Club being their first man home when they won the junior cross-country cup in 1950.
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Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 12/11/1955
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