Leslie started directing at Folkestone Repertory Theatre for two seasons before becoming the first Artistic Director of the Watermill at Newbury. He then was Artistic Director and Licensee of the Southend Palace Theatre Trust for 3 years followed by a record-breaking decade as Artistic Director of the Liverpool Playhouse and the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh

He directed numerous national tours including Emlyn Williams' SOMEONE WAITING, Neil Simon's BAREFOOT IN THE PARK,
SEE HOW THEY RUN, SCISSOR HAPPY and the musical NO TRAMS TO LIME STREET.

With Sandy Wilson he wrote the musical AS DOROTHY PARKER ONCE SAID...and after its succesful West End run he directed and co-starred with Libby Morris in a six month national tour. He then wrote and directed Ms.Morris's next show WOMEN'S LIBBY which she performed all over the World for over ten years.

In London he also directed the highly acclaimed British Premiere of David Rabe's award winning Vietnam drama STREAMERS at the Roundhouse and BBCTV's Young Generation in their West End musical debut at the Piccadilly Theatre.

For the BBC he directed Dame Judi Dench, Michael Williams, Geoffrey Palmer, Celia Imrie, PatricIa Brake and Patricia Hayes in Noel Cowards HAY FEVER, Dame Thora Hird in IN LOVING MEMORY and Sir Norman Wisdom and Moira Lister in the comedy series ROBBING HOOD.

He has directed many star-studded charity galas including DEAR RALPH at the London Palladium.