THE D'OYLY CARTE OPERA COMPANY

William S. Laidlaw (1890-92)

[Born Stepney 1866]

William Smith Laidlaw began as a touring chorister with D'Oyly Carte Opera Company "C," appearing as Giorgio in The Gondoliers from March to July 1890. Around that time he transferred to the Savoy as chorister and understudy, filling in as Giorgio in September 1890, and as Giuseppe in the same opera in February and June 1891. He remained at the Savoy for The Nautch Girl (June 1891-January 1892), deputizing as the Rajah of Chutneypore in December 1891, and then for The Vicar of Bray (January-June 1892) took the part of John Dory. He also filled in as Captain Billy in the one-act curtain raiser of that name during May of that year.

Laidlaw left the D'Oyly Carte shortly thereafter, probably when the Savoy closed in June 1892. He later appeared in several comic operas and burlesques at the Lyric, Terry's, and Trafalgar Theatres between 1893 and 1895.

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