Struggling to make it in London, Harry Relph adopted the stage name Little Tich. He based it on his childhood nickname Tichborne. It was acquired through his portly stature. It also came from his likeness to the suspected Tichborne Claimant Arthur Orton.
Welcome to the memorial of Little Tich. He was a famous comedian. He was also a dancer. Little Tich stood only 4-foot-6-inches tall. Yet, he became an international star.
Harry Relph was born in Cudham Kent in 1867. He was the last of eight children. His father was a farmer and publican. Even as a child, Little Tich was unique. He had an extra digit on each hand. These were webbed from the little finger to the centre joint. He also experienced stunted growth.
Little Tich began performing at age ten. He developed a dance and tin-whistle act. He showcased it at public houses in Sevenoaks. In the early 1880s he formed a blackface act. He gained popularity performing at Rosherville Pleasure Gardens. He also performed at Barnard’s Music Hall in Chatham.
Little Tich traveled to London. He appeared at the Forester’s Music Hall in 1884. That year he adopted the stage name Little Tich. The terms titchy or titch derived from Little Tich. They describe things that are small.
His act further developed during a tour of the United States. This was between 1887 and 1889. He established the Big-Boot Dance. He impressed audiences with his ability to stand on the tips of the shoes. He could lean at extraordinary angles.
In the 1890s Little Tich developed the Serpentine Dance. He had a major success with the Christmas pantomime Babes in the Wood. This was in Manchester during the 1889–90 season. In 1891, Augustus Harris recruited him. He appeared in that year’s Christmas pantomime Humpty Dumpty. This was at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. He starred in two further productions at the theatre. These included Little Bo Peep and Robinson Crusoe.
Between 1896 and 1902 Little Tich performed in his own musical theatre company. He spent much of his time in Paris. There he became a popular variety artist. For his music hall acts he created characters. These were based on everyday observations. The characterizations used were The Gas Inspector. Also, The Spanish Señora and The Waiter. He recorded all three onto shellac discs. He made twenty in total.
Little Tich married three times. He fathered two children. In 1927 he suffered a stroke. It was partly triggered by a blow to the head. He accidentally received it during an evening performance at the Alhambra Theatre. He never recovered fully from the injury. Little Tich died the following year at his house in Hendon. He was 60 years old.
Little Tich’s most famous routine was a bizarre clog dance. He used 28-inch long boots. His act was popular in London Paris and New York. He started professional life whistling for half-pennies in the street.
So here we stand. We remember Little Tich. He brought laughter to countless people. His unique talent made him a star. His influence on comedy is still felt today.