Bluebeard; or, Harlequin and Freedom in Her Island Home, with W.H. Payne in the title role, Covent Garden Theatre, Christmas, 1860

a flyer advertising the pantomime, Bluebeard; or, Harlequin and Freedom in Her Island Home, produced ‘on a scale of magnitude hitherto unattempted’ by the management of the Royal English Opera, Covent Garden, on Boxing night, Wednesday, 26 December 1860.
(artwork: W. Earle)

According to contemporary advertisements, the cast included W.H. Payne in the title role, ‘by nature and birth, a regular Turk; despite his beard, a bare-faced villain of deep dye, the consequences of which fact are dire; though not particularly famous for his elegance, celebrated for his scimet’ry. N.B. It is not exactly known where he lived; but we may naturally conclude that his sway was over the kurds.’