THE D'OYLY CARTE OPERA COMPANY

Douglas Kirke in The Pirates of Penzance

Douglas Kirke (1920-22, 1922-27)

[Born c.1890, died April 1953]

Bass chorister Douglas Kirke, whose real name was James Kirkbright, was with the D'Oyly Carte Repertory Opera Company for most of the time between August 1920 to February 1925, at which point he joined The D'Oyly Carte "New" Opera Company where he served until its closure in June 1927.

During his first season with the Repertory Company (1920-21), he took the parts of the Associate in Trial by Jury, Go-To in The Mikado, and Old Adam Goodheart in Ruddigore. The next season, however, began in July 1921 with Kirke performing only Old Adam in addition to his chorus duties. He would leave the Repertory Company in January 1922.

In December 1922 Kirke returned to the Repertory Company where he remained until February 1925, appearing as the Associate (January-June 1923, and on occasion 1923-24), Bob Beckett in H.M.S. Pinafore (1924-25), and Go-To (1924-25). With the "New" Opera Company his roles would be Beckett (1925), Go-To (1925-26) and Old Adam (1925-27).

Douglas Kirke was married to D'Oyly Carte chorister Barbara Porter.

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