THE D'OYLY CARTE OPERA COMPANY

William Davidson (1908-12)

[Born Perth, Perthshire 1884]

Tenor William Davidson first appeared in London in the Drury Lane children's pantomimes The Sleeping Beauty and the Beast (1900-01) and Blue Beard (1901-02).

In August 1908 he joined the D'Oyly Carte chorus at the Savoy midway through the Second London Repertory season.He would later appear on occasion in the named parts of Griffin David in A Welsh Sunset (January-February 1909), and Ralph Rackstraw in H.M.S. Pinafore (February 1909).When The Yeomen of the Guard was added to the repertoire on March 1, 1909, Davidson took the small part of First Yeoman.

After the London season Davidson joined the D'Oyly Carte Principal Repertory Opera Company on tour, taking over as First Yeoman in November 1909 from William Morgan. Davidson remained with the Company as chorister and First Yeoman until June 1912.

His only subsequent appearance in London was as Mukbil in Chu Chin Chow. That "musical tale from the east" ran for 2238 performances at His Majesty's Theatre (August 1916-July 1921). Davidson was the first of three Mukbils.

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