THE D'OYLY CARTE OPERA COMPANY

George Willoughby

George Willoughby (1887-88)

[Born Southsea 24 Sep 1869, died Lane Cove, Sydney 23 Dec 1951]

George Willoughby Dowse was a baritone chorister on tour with Mr. D'Oyly Carte's "E" Company from at least December 1887 to August 1888. He appeared as John Bird in the Arthur Law & George Grossmith companion piece Uncle Samuel between December 1887 and June 1888, and filled in briefly for Henry E. Bellamy as Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance in August 1888.

Willoughby later toured with Horace Sedger's Company as Arrostino Annegato in Gilbert & Cellier's The Mountebanks (1892). He also took one role in London, in a legitimate play. He was Mr. Hubbock in Henry Arthur Jones' The Rogue's Comedy (Garrick, April-May 1896).

Willoughby ended up in Australia where he enjoyed great success as a character actor in musicals, comedies, and as a producer. After retiring from the stage in 1928 he continued to perform on radio until the late 1940s.

W Index  |  "Who Was Who" Homepage