Opera Scotland

Mock Turtles 1882Mr R D'Oyly Carte's Opera Company

Read more about the opera Mock Turtles

Mock Turtles was one of a group of successful short works that served to warm up the audience in the early years of the Gilbert and Sullivan phenomenon. It had been the curtain-raiser to the performance of Patience on the opening night of the newly-built Savoy Theatre in London the previous October, but here was sent on tour as the companion for the previous hit, The Pirates of Penzance.

Cast details are from The Comet, a 'Theatrical Programme and Critical Journal of Dundee Theatre Royal (in Dundee City Library's Lamb Collection). Each theatre on the tour provided its own sets, painted by the resident designer, while costumes would be brought by the touring management.