Relph, Harry., 1867-1928

Harry Relph, otherwise known on stage as Little Tich, would go on to become one of Britain's most popular music-hall and variety acts. His talents and his agility were closely related to his physical characteristics, in particluar his stature (he was 4 foot 6 inches tall) and the fact that he was double jointed. He became famous for his characters including the Spanish Senorita, the Tax Collector, the Tram Conductor, the Gas Inspector and Little Miss Turpentine. Perhaps his most memorable routine was called Big Boots, which had him dancing in boots that were 28 inches long. He was also a major Pantomime star, notably at Drury Lane. Famous in the United States and France as well as in Britain, his highly visual comic routines influenced both stage and early film performers internationally.

Born in 1867 in Bromley, Relph first appeared on stage at the age of twelve at the Rosherville Gardens in Gravesend with a blackface act he had developed himself. He made his London debut at the Foresters Theatre in 1884. During a 1887-1889 tour of the United States Relph abandoned the 'blackface' act to concentrate on dancing and character sketches, developing his Big Boots routine and a burlesque of the famous Serpentine dance performed by the American dancer Loie Fuller.

Relph was married three times; to English dancer Laurie Brooks in 1889, then to Spanish dancer Julia Recio in 1898 and finally to actress Winifred Ivey in 1926. Harry and Winifreds daughter Mary was born in 1918 and went on to have a successful stage career of her own.

His final performance was at the London Alhambra Theatre in 1927. Following an on-stage accident, Relph suffered a stroke and died shortly afterwards in February, 1927. His widow Winifred died in 1973.

From the guide to the Harry Relph (Little Tich) volumes, 1881 - 1974, (V&A Department of Theatre and Performance)