Henry Pettitt

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Henry Alfred Pettitt (7 April 1848 – 24 December 1893) was a British actor and dramatist. He co-wrote Burmah with Augustus Harris; it was produced on Broadway in 1896. With G. R. Sims, he created many successful works, including In the Ranks (1883) and The Harbour Lights (1885) at the Adelphi Theatre, each running for many performances. They also produced musical burlesques for the Gaiety Theatre, such as Faust up to date (1888), a big hit that helped popularize the idea of being “up-to-date,” and Carmen up to Data (1890). The music for these was by Meyer Lutz. Hands Across the Sea (1887), starring William Elton and Isabel Morris, was especially popular in Australia, perhaps because of its take on French convicts sent to New Caledonia. Pettitt died in Fulham and is buried in Brompton Cemetery, London, on the west side of the main entrance path from the north gate.