THE D'OYLY CARTE OPERA COMPANY

May Thorne as Yum-Yum in The Mikado

May Thorne (1919-23)

Soprano May Thorne joined the D'Oyly Carte "New" Opera Company in September 1919 as a chorister and in the small part of Giulia in The Gondoliers. In March 1920 she moved up to Fiametta in Gondoliers, and in May of that year added Leila in Iolanthe to he duties. She gave a trial show as Yum-Yum in The Mikado with the main (Repertory) company in June 1920 but was back with the "New" Company as Leila and Fiametta for the 1920-21 season.

By June 1921 she had small roles in four of the operas in the "New" Company repertoire, appearing as the Plaintiff in Trial by Jury and Kate in The Yeomen of the Guard, in addition to Leila and Fiametta. She also filled in on occasion in the 1921-22 season as Gianetta in The Gondoliers. When Iolanthe was replaced by The Mikado in July 1922 Miss Thorne took the principal soprano part of Yum-Yum for the 1923-23 season, along with the Plaintiff, Kate, and Fiametta. She left the "New" Company and the D'Oyly Carte organization in June 1923.

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