Harriett Everard

Harriett Everard (March 12 1844–February 22 1882) was an English singer and actress best known for creating the role of Little Buttercup in the Gilbert and Sullivan hit "H.M.S. Pinafore".

Life and career

Born Harriette Emily Woollams in Marylebone, Everard made her first stage appearance in Exeter, at the Theatre Royal, in 1860, and spent a number of years performing light opera, burlesque, comedy, and pantomime, both in the provinces and in London.

Everard joined Richard D'Oyly Carte's company at the Opera Comique after numerous appearances throughout London. It was for him, in November 1877, that she created the part of Mrs. Partlett in Gilbert & Sullivan's comic opera "The Sorcerer". When "The Spectre Knight" by James Albery and Alfred Cellier was added to the program in February 1878, she created the part of the First Lady-in-Waiting.

Everard also created the role of Little Buttercup in "H.M.S. Pinafore" when it opened in May 1878, playing the role for the duration of the long run, until February 1880. During the scuffle at the Opera Comique, early in the run of "Pinafore", when Carte's former backers tried to seize the scenery and properties during a performance and were repelled by the backstage crew, Everard earned admiration for carrying on bravely with the show. [ [http://www.dgillan.screaming.net/stage/th-opcom.html Article entitled "The Assault on The Opera Comique," at the Stagebeauty website] ]

Everard was next cast to play Ruth in "The Pirates of Penzance" when she became the victim of an accident. Rutland Barrington was a witness to the incident and later described it thus [ [http://math.boisestate.edu/GaS/whowaswho/E/EverardHarriett.htm Everard at the Who Was Who website] ] :

As a consequence, Everard missed the opening performance on April 3, 1880, being replaced as Ruth by Emily Cross. Although she was able to assume the role in June, her run did not last long – she turned the part over to Alice Barnett in July when the company returned to England from New York.

Everard left the company at this point, and worked little for the remainder of her life; her last recorded appearance was as Aunt Priscilla in Frederick Marshall's comic opera "Lola" in January 1881. She died in London little more than a year later, apparently having never completely recovered from the accident, although some sources report that she died of consumption.

References

*cite book|last=Ayre|first=Leslie|year=1972|title=The Gilbert & Sullivan Companion|location=London|publisher=W.H. Allen & Co Ltd Introduction by Martyn Green.

External links

* [http://math.boisestate.edu/GaS/whowaswho/E/EverardHarriett.htm Biography of Everard]
* [http://pinafore.www3.50megs.com/artist-e.html Brief profile of Everard]
* [http://www.dgillan.screaming.net/stage/th-opcom.html Account of the "Fracas at the Opera Comique" in 1879]