Pattie Oliver
(1834-1880)
in 'The Bonnie Fishwife'

Martha Cranmer Oliver, known professionally and to her friends as Pattie or Patty Oliver, is seen here in the title role of Charles Selby's The Bonnie Fishwife, in which she appeared at the Royalty Theatre in London from at least July 1860.

She died of cancer on 20 December 1880. According to her obituary in The Era (1 January 1881), 'Miss Martha Oliver was a native of Salisbury, and appeared upon the stage of the Theatre in that town when only six years old. Here and at Southampton her performances of children's parts attracted much attention, and shortly afterwards a London engagement was offered her by Mrs Warner at the Marylebone Theatre, where, in 1847, her Metropolitan debut was made. Her success speedily gained for her an engagement with Madame Vestris at the Lyceum, where, from 1849 to 1855, her talents were in frequent request. When Mr Charles Mathews joined Mr E. T. Smith's company at Drury-lane Theatre in 1856, Miss Oliver accompanied him, and her performance of Helen in The Hunchback won such praises from the critics that Mr Buckstone secured her talents for the Haymarket Theatre. Accepting an offer from Miss Scarborough to become the leading actress in comedy and burlesque at the Strand Theatre, Miss Oliver transferred her services to that establishment in 1859, and remained a valuable member of the company through several successive seasons. In 1863 Miss Oliver entered on the management of the New Royalty Theatre, which rose rapidly into popularity under her direction. On the last night of Mr Burnand's merry burlesque of Black-Eyed Susan, September 23d, 1868, it was recorded that the lively song of "Pretty Susan, don't say no" had then been sung by her 1,775 times. About three years since the burlesque was revived and transferred to the Duke's Theatre, and from that period the favourite actress was but seldom seen before the footlights. Her kindly advice was always ready to be given to all youthful aspirants to theatrical honours, while her charitable hand was ever busy affording prompt and liberal aid to the aged and unfortunate members of her profession. There is not one actor or actress who, hearing of her decease, will be able to recall anything but agreeable memories of the unblemished life of clever and kind-hearted Patty Oliver.'