Born in Hindley Street in 1891, Harry van der Sluys was a son of a Dutch-Jewish cigar manufacturer in Adelaide. Harry initially changed his name to Roy Rene after a famous French comic. He later became beloved in the vaudeville theatres of Australia as 'Mo', part of a bawdy comedy pair 'Stiffy and Mo' with Nat Phillips as 'Stiffy'.

Mo's stage costume comprised a grubby suit, battered hat and distinctive makeup. He was a master of gestures and facial expressions, voicing quips and sayings that became part of the language of the day: 'What's the matter with you mugs? I'll down ya like a tack'; 'Strike me lucky' and 'You little trimmer'. Mo was able to make his audiences, theatre patrons and radio listeners alike, laugh at his suggestive banter, or cry along with his pathos. The entertainer died in November 1954 and his talent is honored in Australia's entertainment awards, the 'Mo awards'.

A statue of Roy Rene by sculptor Robert Hannaford was unveiled near the corner of Hindley and Leigh Street in Adelaide on 4 March 2010.

This invitation to the Martin Sharp art exhibition 'Just for fun' pictures a Sharp poster for the Nimrod Theatre which features a caricature the character, Mo.

Details of original artwork: Martin Sharp
Australia, 1942
Mo: Nimrod Theatre poster printed by Kristen Coburn, Sydney, 1978
colour screenprint on paper 118.5 x 61.0 (sight)
South Australian Government Grant 1987
Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide

Rene, Roy, 1892-1954

Rene, Roy Mo's memoirs Melbourne: Reed and Harris, 1945

Thompson, John Five to remember Melbourne: Landsdowne, 1964