Howard Vernon (Australian actor)
Howard Vernon | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Melbourne, Australia |
| Died | July 26, 1921 (aged 73) Prahran, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1872–1914 |
| Known for | Comedic performances in Gilbert and Sullivan operas with the J. C. Williamson company |
Howard Vernon (20 May 1848 – 26 July 1921) was a distinguished Australian actor, best known for his comedic performances in Gilbert and Sullivan operas with the J. C. Williamson company.
Starting his career in 1872, Vernon toured extensively performing in various operettas throughout Australia, Asia, England, and America. He joined the Williamson company in 1881 and spent a quarter-century portraying leading comic characters. After 1906, his tours were primarily in England before he retired to Australia in 1914.
Early life and career
Born John Lett in Melbourne, Vernon was the son of Richard Prince Lett, a brickmaker, and Jane Catherine Williamson. He attended Richmond Church of England school and worked initially as a clerk and tea-taster before making his stage debut at age eighteen in Ballarat, Victoria.
Vernon cultivated a light tenor voice and performed with the Alice May company in opera bouffes during 1872–73, including the role of Mr. Box in Cox and Box. His engagements took him to New Zealand and India with this troupe. In 1874, he gained recognition as Myles na Coppaleen in The Lily of Killarney while with the Lyster Opera Company. Later that year, he established the Royal English Opera Company and toured China. In 1876, Vernon contributed to staging Gilbert and Sullivan's Trial by Jury in Singapore accompanied by a military band, followed by productions of The Sorcerer in India. His company's 1877 tour of Japan represented some of the earliest European theatrical performances there. Vernon also performed in England and America with companies led by Alice May and Emilie Melville.
Upon returning to Australia, Vernon appeared in light operas such as Les Cloches de Corneville and La Mascotte, but his prominence grew significantly after joining the Williamson company. His debut roles included Major-General Stanley in The Pirates of Penzance (1881) and Sir Joseph Porter in H.M.S. Pinafore. He originated the role of Bunthorne in Patience, earning critical praise for an interpretation regarded as superior to that of original performer George Grossmith.
In addition to Gilbert and Sullivan pieces, Vernon portrayed Captain Flapper in Billie Taylor (1882) and starred in Rip van Winkle (1883).
His inaugural portrayal of Ko-Ko occurred in Williamson's 1885 staging of The Mikado. Subsequent roles included Sir Marmaduke in The Sorcerer (1886), King Hildebrand in Princess Ida (1887), and Lord Chancellor in Iolanthe (1887). Critics lauded his clear articulation and impeccable comedic timing, underscoring his expertise in these pivotal comic parts.
Later years
Vernon sustained his career through numerous operettas and revivals of Gilbert and Sullivan works, featuring in productions such as Erminie (1887) and the company's inaugural presentation of Olivette (1888). In 1889, he originated Wilfred Shadbolt for Australia's first staging of The Yeomen of the Guard and reprised Captain Corcoran in a revival of Pinafore. The following year saw him star in a pantomime version of Cinderella, portray Squire Bantam in Dorothy, and create the role of Don Alhambra for Australia's premiere production of The Gondoliers. A reviewer from The Argus commended his performance for its tasteful humor combined with measured restraint.
In 1892, Vernon took on the role of the dissipated Duke in La Cigale, composed by Edmond Audran with libretto by F. C. Burnand. Though advancing age diminished his vocal power, his distinct enunciation preserved the effectiveness of his patter songs. After a brief retirement, he returned to perform King Gama during a 1905 revival of Princess Ida. In 1906, he appeared as King Paramount in Utopia, Limited; while the Melbourne Age noted vocal decline, The Daily News praised his comedic skill and commanding stage presence.
Following this phase, Vernon toured New Zealand alongside his wife before performing extensively throughout Great Britain and continental Europe for several years. They returned to Australia in 1914 where Vernon retired from performing and operated a bookshop located in Richmond, Victoria. In 1920, the J. C. Williamson company organized a benefit production of The Mikado on his behalf; although illness prevented him from reprising Ko-Ko on stage, he was present to deliver a speech expressing gratitude.
Vernon passed away on 26 July 1921 at Prahran, Victoria, near Melbourne, and was interred at Brighton Cemetery. At the time of his death, he was composing his memoirs which were subsequently edited by his widow and published by the Brisbane Courier in 1923.
Family
On 2 February 1870, at the age of 21 and under the name Norman Letville, he wed actress Mary Jane Walker (who passed away on 12 May 1905) at the Alfred Hospital. The couple had nine children, but by the time of her death, she was survived by Richard, Alice, Jack, Lima, and Iris Vernon.
- Richard Victor Prince Lett (also known as Victor Prince), identified as Vernon's son or stepson, pursued a career in acting. He married Florence ("Tot") Evesson on 26 April 1905, and together they had a daughter named Victoria Prince. His death occurred on 2 July 1947. Another account records his birth as occurring in 1879 in Hong Kong to Mary Jane Walker.
- Alice Vernon performed as a singer and actress in Gilbert and Sullivan operas under the stage name "Miss Esther Castles"; she died on 16 September 1907.
- Norman Richard Vernon, who may not have been Mary Vernon's biological son, was connected with the Howard Vernon theatrical company and later took on management of the Box Hill picture theatre. He might be the same individual as Norman John Vernon (also known as Jack Vernon), who died on 7 January 1947.
- Lima Vernon appeared with Maurice Gerald's Dramatic Company as an actress.
- Iris Vernon also pursued a career in performance.
In 1906, Vernon entered into marriage with Lavinia Florence de Loitte (1881–1962), a singer and actress known professionally as Vinia de Loitte.