Horace Wigan
(1819-1885)
as 'The Chicken' in 'B.B.'

Staged at the Olympic in the spring of 1860, B.B. was a farce, the plot of which involved a traveller being mistaken for the American pugilist John Heenan, widely known as 'the Benicia Boy' after the frontier town where he had once worked as a blacksmith. The real Heenan was at the time in England for his now legendary fight against the Englishman Tom Sayers, which took place at Farnborough on 17 April 1860.

'Mr Montagu Williams and Mr Barnard [sic], the former a gentleman remotley connected with the theatrical profession, the latter the writer of that bad burlesque Dido, are the authors of a farce called B.B., presented for the first time with complete success at the Olympic Theatre on Thursday evening last. 'B.B.' signifies Benicia Boy, and the gist of the sketch lies in the mistake of Mr Benjamin Bobbin (Mr F. Robson), who is journeying to Northumberland, being taken for John Heenan, expected at the identical hotel whither Bobbin, with his luggage marked 'B.B.,' wends his way. A great deal of fun is elicited out of the trepidation by which the nervous gentleman is inspired when Heenan's colours are frantically waved round his head by a pugilistic waiter, by a servant-maid, by the landlady, and a retired member of the P.R., once known as 'The Chicken.' [...] After sundry adventures, which culminate in Rattler's wanting him to put on the gloves and do a little sparring, it transpires how the mistake has arisen, and everything is agreeably settled, to the perfect satisfaction of the small representative of American prowess. The audience laughed immoderately at the farce, and it may be accepted as proof of the popularity which has been attained by the noble art of self-defence and its champions in every quarter of the globe' (Sporting Life, 24 March 1860). 

'A dramatic sketch founded on the coming among us of the 'Benicia Boy,' as he is termed, has been brought out at this theatre [the Olympic] with success, less attributable to the authors, Messrs Williams and Burnand, then to the admirable acting of Mr Robson. Nevertheless, there is some smart writing in the farce, and some skilful construction. Mr Robson is a Mr Benjamin Bobbin, travelling down to Northumberland, and therefore 'B.B.' is marked on his luggage. The landlady of the inn where he stays is at the same time expecting 'the Benicia Boy;' and various parties of the 'fancy,' amateurs, &c., congregated at the said inn out of curiosity, welcome Mr Bobbin with (to him) a most puzzling enthusiasm. The honors done him are immense, though much chagrin is experienced at the smallness of his stature. One of the parties, Rattles (Mr Horace Wigan) who was erst the 'Chicken,' has gloves brought in, in order to test the skill of 'B.B.,' to the horror and astonishment of the worthy 'Bobbin,' There were many pleasant jokes and much laughter. Miss Stephens took the character of the Landlady, and Mrs Emden that of Dorothy. There was a well-filled house' (Daily Director and Entr'actre, 24 March 1860).