THE D'OYLY CARTE OPERA COMPANY

Dorothy Court as Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance

Dorothy Court (1908-09)

[Born Fazakerly, Lancashire 10 Mar 1883, died London 6 Mar 1958]

Clara Dorothy Court's first appearance on the London Stage was in a 1903 production of The Tempest at the Court Theatre. She was known primarily as a concert singer when engaged by Mrs. D'Oyly Carte during the Second London Repertory Season at the Savoy in 1908. Her first role was Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore in September 1908, replacing Elsie Spain who had temporarily left the Company. Her other roles were Celia in Iolanthe (revived October 19, 1908), Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance (December 1, 1908), and Casilda in The Gondoliers (January 18, 1909). She played Josephine until Miss Spain returned in December 1908, and she played her other three roles until the end of the season, March 27, 1909. It was her only D'Oyly Carte experience.

Miss Court then toured Australia with the J. C. Williamson Company in The King of Cadonia and The Dollar Princess. Returning to England, she performed primarily on the variety and concert stages. Many of her popular songs were composed by her husband, Haydn Wood.

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