Variety shows in 1900s' Ireland featured acts like singers, dancers, comics, jugglers, acrobats, magicians, hypnotists, and male and female impersonators, often presented in urban music halls, cinemas, and with touring roadshows. Performers included specialized acts such as the Scotch comedienne Miss Ruth Vollmer, Irish street singer Danny Malone, and the political comedian Senator Murphy, all providing a diverse range of entertainment to audiences across the country.
Vernon Hayden was born c. 1914 into a large theatrical family of eight children located in Donaghmore, county Tyrone, Northern Ireland. His father was Will Hayden, and his mother had the stage name of Kitty Leroy. His parents ran a touring company, "The Hayden Family Entertainers" which travelled Britain and Ireland playing repertory and variety. In his early career, Vernon Hayden toured with companies such as W.L Dobell, Richard Carrickford, and the famous pantomime comedian Jim Johnson. In 1940 he and Johnson joined O’D Productions, the company founded by music hall performer Jimmy O’Dea and Harry O’Donavon. He joined O’Dea on tours of Ireland and the UK, and most notably to Australia and New Zealand in 1961, and also managed O’D Productions from 1948 until 1976. He then joined Gaels of Laughter Company where he worked along side Maureen Potter. Throughout his career Hayden worked in radio, television and movies such as Wedding Night (1969) and Lock Up Your Daughters (1969). He also acted in musicals and plays in theatres such as Queens, Olympia and Theatre Royal. However he is most well remembered for his performances as the ‘Baddie’ in the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin Christmas Pantomime, where he performed from 1940 until 1988. In 1986 Hayden was awarded life membership of Equity. He was president of the Irish branch of The Actors’ Church Union. He was a supporter of amateur theatre, and frequently adjudicated for Tops of the Towns and other variety competitions. He was founding president of the Entertainers Golfing society (founded 1965) whose membership included Jack Cruise, Milo O’Shea, and Edmond Browne. He died on 30 August 1990 in Nursing Home in Bray after two years of illness and is buried in Springfield cemetery, Killarney Road, Bray. The 'Vernon Hayden Award’ for most promising performer at Tops of the Town was founded in his memory.