Letty Lind English actress, dancer and acrobat Date of Birth: 21.12.1861 Country: Great Britain

Biography of Letty Lind

English actress, dancer, and acrobat Letty Lind is best known for her performances in the Gaiety burlesque theater and Daly's musical theater. She was born in Birmingham, England, on her family estate. Her father, Henry Rudge, was a brass founder and candlestick maker, while her mother, Elizabeth Rudge, tried her hand at acting but never achieved fame beyond Birmingham. However, Letty and her siblings found success in various forms of entertainment.

Letty made her first appearance on stage at the age of five, playing the role of Eva in "Uncle Tom's Cabin." She later traveled with writer and actor Howard Paul and his English wife. During this time, Letty performed under the pseudonym "La Petite Letitia." Unfortunately, her collaboration with Paul ended on a sour note when he had an affair with Letty, resulting in the birth of two illegitimate children.

In 1879, Letty made her debut in London, appearing in one of Howard Paul's farces. Two years later, she parted ways with Paul, and the details of their separation remain unclear. Letty continued to perform in London and provincial areas of the country for over two decades. Her acts consisted of comedic numbers, farces, and pantomime.

In December 1880, Letty had her first performance at the Gaiety Theatre, playing a supporting role in Robert Buchanan's "The Nine Days' Queen." In 1882, she performed at the Olympic Theatre and Criterion Theatre before returning to the Gaiety. She spent most of the following year at Her Majesty's Theatre, appearing in Jacques Offenbach's revived version of "Le voyage dans la lune." Afterward, she embarked on new tours across Britain.

In 1887, Letty began a fruitful collaboration with George Edwardes at the Gaiety Theatre, working on a series of burlesques. One of her most successful roles during this time was Marietta, created by Lottie Collins. Collins developed a unique style of performance, combining skirt dances and cancan. Letty gained tremendous popularity during this period, amassing thousands of fans.

The popularity of skirt dances, popularized by Kate Vaughn in the 1880s, continued until at least 1910. These dances blended ballet grace with tap rhythm, and the use of large skirts, up to 12 meters in diameter, added complexity. Letty's formal dance training and overall physicality set her apart from her colleagues. During her performances in America, Letty surprised critics by not relying on showcasing her legs or chest to captivate audiences.

Letty retired at the age of 41 and spent her final days on a farm in Slough, England. She passed away in Slough, 20 years after her retirement.