Howes, Millie

The Devil Bird was a musical theatre sketch owned, adapted and performed by the actress and music hall performer Millie Howes. Millie Howes was the stage name of Jane Bartlett (neé Tiplow), who bought the sketch from its author, Frederick Bowyer, in September 1886 with her husband, John Bartlett. The sketch had music and songs composed by J. Baker for a 10 part orchestra.

The Devil Bird was a sketch that required three actors, for which Millie Howes employed Leo Harmont and Florrie Frederick. The Devil Bird Company toured musical halls, we have evidence of performances at the Canterbury Theatre of Varieties; Varieties, Hoxton and The Metropolitan Music Hall.

There is also evidence that Millie Howes had some difficulty confirming her sole ownership of the sketch after buying the rights entirely from Frederick Bowyer after finding that the sketch was being performed by Lottie Collins in America. A note also shows that there were simlarities made between the sketch of The Devil Bird and another entitled The Country Squire .

There is no clear note as to when the production of The Devil Bird ended.

Jane Bartlett (Millie Howes) died February 3rd 1942.

From the guide to the Millie Howes, actress, and "The Devil Bird", theatre sketch: papers, ca.1840-ca.1940, (Victoria and Albert Museum: Theatre Collections)