Tresmand was born in London. Her earliest appearances were in the chorus of the revue Shell Out (1915), in the musicals Houp La! (1916–1917) and Betty, and in the revue Bubbly.[1]
After appearing with Leslie Henson in Going Greek and Swing Along in South Africa, she settled there, continuing to take part in concerts and plays. She died in South Africa in 1980.[1]
Artistic recognition
Tresmand's portrait was painted in oils by the Australian artist William Longstaff (1879–1953). She eventually presented the picture to the City of Johannesburg Africana Museum.[3]
Notes
^ abcdKurt Gänzl, The Encyclopedia of the Musical Theatre (Schirmer, 2001), p. 2070: "TRESMAND, Ivy (b London, 15 December 1898; d South Africa, 2 November 1980). British soubrette of the 1920s and 1930s. After early appearances in the chorus of the revue Shell Out (1915) and in small parts in the musical Houp-La! (1916), Betty, and the revue Bubbly, Ivy Tresmand was cast at the age of 21 in the role of Tina in London's version of The Red Mill. She subsequently appeared in the revue Just Fancy, took over the comic role of Margot in Sybil from May Beatty..."
^Africana Notes and News, vol. 23 (1978) p. 281: "Tresmand, Ivy, b. 1899 Oil by William Longstaff. Signed "William Longstaff" . 902 x 621 The gift of Miss Ivy Tresmand No. 79/17 A portrait of the English-born actress who settled and still lives in South Africa."