July 21 is the birthday of Harry Relph (1867–1928), the legendary English music hall comic actor, singer, and dancer who achieved worldwide fame under the stage name Little Titch. His signature act was the eccentric "Big-Boot Dance". For his performances, the artist commissioned custom shoes with massive wooden soles measuring 71 cm in length – which was more than half his own height. Using them as a counterweight, Little Titch performed acrobatic wonders: leaning forward at a 45-degree angle with a perfectly straight back, mimicking walking on stilts, and effortlessly dropping into the splits. Harry Relph’s work had a monumental impact on early cinema. It is widely believed that after seeing Little Titch perform at the Folies Bergère cabaret in Paris, a young Charlie Chaplin adopted his distinctive walk, baggy trousers, and oversized boots to create his own iconic "The Tramp" character.

The automaton collection of the Museum features a unique exhibit: the "Little Titch" mechanical musical doll. This rare automaton was created by the artisans of the famous French company Roullet & Decamps in the 1900s, preserving the memory of the great comedian of the past.
Watch the video to see this amazing performer come to life!