THE D'OYLY CARTE OPERA COMPANY

Brenda Thompson

Brenda Thompson (1938-44)

[Born Westmorland, England 23 Feb 1914]

Brenda Thompson made her first appearances before the public as a principal with the Gateshead Amateur Operatic Society and the Gateshead Choral Union. She joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company as a soprano chorister and understudy in May 1938. Her first named part was likely Casilda in The Gondoliers when she was called upon to sub for Margery Abbott for several weeks from December 1940 to February 1941. In September 1941 she assumed the small roles of Celia in Iolanthe and Fiametta in The Gondoliers, playing both on a regular basis until she left the Company in October 1944. She went on as Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance on at least three occasions in 1942 and substituted at times for Miss Abbott as Yum-Yum in The Mikado during the 1942-43 season. She has also been credited, unverified, with appearing at some point as Phyllis in Iolanthe.

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