THE D'OYLY CARTE OPERA COMPANY

Emma Gwynne

Emma Gwynne (1883-84)

[Born Islington, London 4 Oct 1855, died New Malden, London 13 Jan 1923]

Emma Gwynne (real name Emma Putney) made her London Stage debut at the Avenue Theatre in Offenbach's Lurette in April 1883. After a revival of Barbe Bleue, and a tour of both pieces, she was engaged by Richard D'Oyly Carte.

She began as a chorister with Mr. D'Oyly Carte's "Pinafore" and "Pirates" Company from December 26, 1883 to February 2, 1884, and was one of two ladies to appear as Kate in The Pirates of Penzance on that brief tour. Miss Gwynne then joined Mr. D'Oyly Carte's No. 1 "Iolanthe" Company on tour from March 3 to December 6, 1884. She appeared in the small role of Fleta in Iolanthe and as Mrs. Nankeen Worcester in the George Grossmith companion piece Cups and Saucers.

The sister of fellow D'Oyly Carte artist Julia Gwynne, Emma Gwynne traveled for two years wth T. W. Robertson's Caste Company and later appeared in London in a number of non-musical productions at the Gaiety, Opera Comique, Strand, Terry's, Avenue, Wyndham's, and New Theatres between 1895 and 1909.

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