Little Jack Sheppard - Productions

Productions

Little Jack Sheppard opened at the Gaiety Theatre in London on 26 December 1885 and ran for 155 performances. It featured Nellie Farren as Jack Sheppard, Fred Leslie as Jonathan Wild, David James as Blueskin and Marion Hood as Winifred Other cast members included Willie Warde (who also choreographed the dances) and Sylvia Grey. The production marked the first appearances at the Gaiety of David James and Fred Leslie, and it was Marion Hood's first appearance in burlesque. Leslie introduced parodic elements caricaturing Oscar Wilde into his portrayal of Jonathan Wild In June 1886, the production was moved from the Gaiety to the less fashionable Grand Theatre, Islington, to make way for Henry E. Dixey's company. A new cast was engaged for the Islington production, while a touring company including most of the original principals took the piece around the English provinces. In December 1886, the touring company, still led by Farren and Leslie, returned to London and took over at the Grand Theatre.

The piece was produced in New York in 1886 at The Bijou Theatre and had its Australian premiere in Melbourne in December 1886 at the Opera House, with Fanny Robina as Jack and Lionel Brough as Wild. In 1887, a second English touring production was launched, with a new cast. Little Jack Sheppard continued to play in the provinces until late 1891. It was revived at the Gaiety in 1894, with a cast including Ellaline Terriss and Seymour Hicks.