Minnie Sydney

A carte-de-visite portrait of the British actress Minnie Sydney.

According to the Illustrated Penny Paper (1 January 1870), she made here first appearance at the Globe in H. C. Byron’s ‘operatic burlesque’ Lord Bateman; or, The Proud Young Porter and the Fair Sophia, with Fanny Josephs playing the part of Lord Bateman.

She appears on the 1871 census living at 193 Kennington Road in Lambeth with her husband, the ‘Professor of Dancing’ John Milano. Born in Worcester, she was 22 years old and her real first names were Harriet Elizabeth. Her husband was 44.

Two years later she was dead. According to the Nottingham Journal (20 February 1873): ‘The past week witnessed the removal by death of three ladies well known in the dramatic world. Miss Maria B. Jones, an actress of great ability and considerable personal attractions, died of acute rheumatism. Mrs Milano (Minnie Sydney) died of induration of the liver; and Mrs Charles Selby may be said to have died of natural decay.’

Her husband, John Milano, died the following year and was buried in Brompton Cemetery (The London and Provincial Entr’actre, 5 September 1874).

Photographed by Elliott and Fry of London.