Harriett Vernon as Sir Thomas Wyatt in the burlesque, Herne the Hunted, produced at Toole’s Theatre, London, on 3 July 1886.

Harriett Vernon (1852-1923), English music hall singer and burlesque actress, as Sir Thomas Wyatt in the burlesque, Herne the Hunted, produced at Toole’s Theatre, London, on 3 July 1886.
(photo: unknown, probably London, 1886)

Toole’s Theatre, London, Saturday evening, 3 July 1886
‘This house opened for the Summer season on Saturday evening, under the management of Messrs. [William] Yardley and H.P. Stephens… . Herne the Hunted [the third item on the bill] is principally noticeable for the clever manner in which the principal characters sing and danced. What story it possesses is certainly not worth relating; but the antics and quaint manner of Mr. Arthur Williams as the ”Demon Hunter,” who admits that he is a fraud; the animation of Miss Emily Spiller as Mabel Lyndwood, and of Miss Harriett Vernon as Sir Thomas Wyatt; the clowning of Mr. Allnutt as Henry VIII.; and the humour of Miss Harriet Coveney as Katherine of Arragon are all worth recording. Mr. Frank Wood has no opportunity as Will Somers; but Mr. [Herman] De Lange makes a capital French Ambassador, and renders great assistance to the vocal music. Perhaps the funniest incident of the burlesque is the fox hunt, which occurs in the last scene (the burlesque is divided into five). Pantomime hounds cross the stage, followed by all the Royal party and retainers, and, last of all – the fox! The French Duc shoots the quarry with a Lowther-arcadian gun [i.e. toy guy: Lowther Arcade in London’s Strand was once famous for its toyshops], and returns in triumph, shouting ”Vive la France!” The music, selected and composed by Mr. Hamilton Clarke, is bright and inspiriting; and Mr. Arthur Williams has a topical song, ”Just in the old sweet way,” which is certain to achieve popularity. Messrs. Yardley and Stephens were called at the fall of the curtain.’
(The Standard, London, Monday, 5 July 1886, p. 2b)

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Miss Wadman as Thames Darrell in the burlesque Little Jack Sheppard, Gaiety Theatre, London, 26 December 1885

Miss Wadman (1857-1892), English actress and vocalist, as she appeared as Thames Darrell in the burlesque Little Jack Sheppard, produced at the Gaiety Theatre, London, on 26 December 1885. Other leading members of the cast were Nellie Farren, Fred Leslie, David James, Emily Duncan and Harriet Coveney.
(photo: unknown, London, 1885/86)

Matilda Honor Wadman was born in London on 3 May 1857, a daughter of William Wadman, a tailor in London’s Soho, and his wife Harriet. She was professionally known as Mathilde Wadman or, more usually, simply as Miss Wadman. She was married in London in 1881 to St. Vincent Walter Fane Jervis (1853-1908), an army captain who resigned his commission on 26 April the following year. Miss Wadman died unexpectedly in Leeds, Yorkshire, at the age of 35 on 23 December 1892.

Little Jack Sheppard, Gaiety Theatre, London, Saturday, 26 December 1885
‘… a dashing representative of Thames Darrell is found in Miss Wadman, whose cold, for which a superfluous apology was made on Satuay, in no way detracted from the purity and finish of her vocalisation.’
(The Era, London, Saturday, 2 January 1886, p. 7c)

* * * * *

‘SAD DEATH OF MISS WADMAN.
‘We regret to announce that Miss Wadman, ”Principal Boy” in the Leeds Grand Theatre pantomime [Dick Whittington], died this morning at Leeds. She was too ill to appear at the opening of the pantomime last night, and died to-day in spite of prompt medical aid. Miss Wadman was well known as a specially bright and attractive comic-opera artists, and her death under these sad circumstances will be generally regretted by her professional friends.’
(The Pall Mall gazette,/I>, London, Friday, 23 December 1892, p. 5b)