Little Tich

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Harry Relph, known on the stage as 'Little Tich', (July 21, 1867-February 10, 1928) was an English music hall comedian. Noted for his various characters, including "The Spanish Senora," "The Gendarme," and "The Tax Collector," his most popular routine was his amazing "Big Boot" dance, which was preserved on film in 1900 by pioneering director Alice Guy. He was also popular as a pantomime dame; in one season he appeared with Marie Lloyd and Dan Leno also in the cast.

Harry was born at Cudham, now in the London Borough of Bromley, one of fifteen children to the landlord of the Blacksmith's Arms. He made his first stage appearance at the age of twelve at Rosherville Gardens, Kent. Anyone stout at that time earned the nickname of "Tich", so Harry, only 4.5 feet (1.37m) in height became "Little Tich".

He was a polydactyl, having five fingers and thumb on each hand, and six toes on both feet. Mementoes of his life are still preserved at the pub which was his place of birth.

[edit] External links

• Anthony, Barry. Little Tich (Harry Relph)
• Harry Relph at the Internet Movie Database
• Irving, Gordon. Little Tich
• Knapp, Lawrence. (2000) Sax Rohmer and Little Tich

[edit] References

• Tich, Mary and Richard Findlater (1979). Little Tich; Giant of the Music Hall. London: Elm Tree Books. ISBN 0-241-10174-3.