Miss Ada Webb was both a natationist and acrobat who had
the foresight to turn to theatrical management as she got older and less able
to perform. Her performances in water were limited to that of ornamental
swimming as part of a variety show either on stage in music halls or in a
circus ring. During the August Bank Holiday period in 1887 Ada appeared at the
Alexandra Palace entertaining some 18,000 visitors with her underwater feats
that day.[1]
The spectators for such entertainments were often hard to please but Ada
appears to have found favour with her audiences. A commentary on events at the
Washington Theatre for May, 1888 provides an insight into the type of acts that
were popular with their patrons and also just how hard it was to please them.
The musical introduction by Mr English, a comic singer and actor, was said to
be over long and he had to ‘work hard’ in order to gain the audiences plaudits.
A less inviting spectacle was a boy climbing a pole balanced on the shoulder of
a Japanese man. The crowd were ‘better pleased’ by the feats of Miss Ada Webb
who was described as a ‘young nageuse [swimmer]’
who ‘displayed her graceful form in some tank evolutions.’ Her deeds involved
eating and drinking underwater followed by ‘various other feats requiring
endurance and aptitude, and gained an encouraging reception.’[2]
In a summary of the major acts performing within London
Music Halls in 1888, Miss Webb warranted mention immediately after a
description of the internationally renowned singer, Miss Marie Lloyd. Ada was
described thus:
Miss
Ada Webb shares with Britannia the title of “Empress of the Sea”. She has dived
into the sea from a height of fifty-six feet, and therefore claims the
distinction of being the champion lady diver of the world. Her underwater feats
in the tank are those to which music hall audiences have become accustomed, and
her symmetrical form lends grace and attractiveness to her various posings in
the crystal tank.[3]
Ornamental swimmers
were very popular with music hall audiences throughout the 1870-1910 periods
and, as a consequence, females had the potential to make a very good living on
the music hall circuit.
In September 1890 it was revealed that Ada had saved the
lives of three ladies who had got into trouble in the Bromley Swimming Baths.
The Royal Humane Society was to award a ‘testimonial’ at the Tivoli Theatre
where she was currently appearing. The account of the event was short on detail
and possibly designed to promote the career of Ada perhaps? It would appear
that Ada had dived into the pool fully clothed and saved three ‘exhausted’
ladies from possibly drowning. One of the ladies, we are informed has only just
recovered from ‘the effects of immersion’ and had recently sent a cheque to Ada
for the purchase of a new dress.[4]
Such feats of bravery appear to have been rather commonplace with professional
natationists who were not only described as being mystical creatures but also
heroines.
As an illustration of just how important it was for swimming
clubs to provide other forms of entertainment at their swimming galas other
than the races, the St. George’s Swimming Club, Sunderland had obtained the
services of Ada Webb in October, 1891. She was appearing at the local People’s
Palace and with the permission of the music hall’s proprietors, was allowed to
give an exhibition at the club’s annual gala to be held at the Corporation Baths.
In return for providing the gala with such a major coup as the services of Miss
Webb, the members and officials of all the town’s swimming clubs provided the
music hall proprietors with a ‘complimentary benefit’ evening.[5]
For the 1892 season Ada had enlisted the assistance of
another ornamental swimmer in her act. Miss Elsie Le-Bert was a younger swimmer
who would help maintain an interest in the feats undertaken within the ‘crystal
tank’.[6] In
January, 1895 Miss Webb, ‘Queen of the Crystal Tank’ was appearing at Oldham,
Lancashire in Ohmy’s Circus with her ‘Troupe of Charming Lady Swimmers’.[7]
The names of ‘Florence, Louis and Elba’ appear as ‘the smartest aerial act in
the world’.[8]
Ada appears to have created a troupe of performers under her name that could
perform both in the water and in the air. Her popularity was such that in
April, 1895 Ada and her troupe were heading the bill with the
Transfield’s Circus in Limerick, Ireland.[9]
[1] Lloyd’s Weekly News, Bank Holiday
Amusements, Sunday, August 7, 1887
[2] The Era, The London Music Halls,
The Washington Theatre, Saturday, May 19, 1888.
[3] The Era, The London Music Halls, Saturday,
November 10, 1888.
[4] The Era, Music Hall Gossip, Miss
Ada Webb, Saturday, September 20, 1890.
[5] The Era, Amusements in Sunderland,
People’s Palace, Saturday, October 31, 1891.
[6] The Era, Amusements in Leeds, Princess’s Palace, Saturday, May 21,
1892
[7] The name ‘Ohmy’ came from the
owners tight rope act at Raikes Hall Pleasure Gardens, Blackpool when the crowd
would exclaim, oh my! This exclamation gave him (name not known) the name for
his circus.
[8] The Era, Advertisements and
Notices, Saturday, January 5, 1895.
[9] The Era, Provincial Theatricals,
Limerick, Saturday, April 13, 1895.
