THE D'OYLY CARTE OPERA COMPANY

Marion Johnson (1878-85)

[Born Holborn, London 23 Sep 1852, died Croydon 1927]

Marion Johnson was a member of the chorus at the Opera Comique for most, if not all, of the initial run of H.M.S. Pinafore (May 1878-February 1880), remaining with the London Company there and, later, at the Savoy until 1885 when she left to get married.Between July and October 1879 she replaced the absent Jessie Bond as Hebe in Pinafore.

"Johnnie," as she was called, appears to have been a good friend of W. S. Gilbert, who wrote to her from America during the initial production of The Pirates of Penzance (February 1880).They were still corresponding during the winter of 1892-93, although Miss Johnson was by then Mrs. Long, and long retired from the D'Oyly Carte.

Her aunt, Alice Wilkins, also performed with the D'Oyly Carte under her married name of Alice Pilon.

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