Merrie England was enjoying a successful London run at the Savoy when most of the company were sent out on a short provincial tour. Edinburgh was the first stop, and the only Scottish date. The conductor was the successful Scottish composer Hamish MacCunn. The Queen was played by Rosina Brandram, creator of all the G & S contralto roles from Princess Ida on - i.e. the first Katisha, Dame Carruthers and Duchess of Plaza-Toro, among others. Henry Lytton, Robert Evett and Walter Passmore were also leading performers in the Savoy stable.
It is notable that the touring company is under the management of William Greet, rather than D'Oyly Carte. Richard D'Oyly Carte had died a few months earlier, and his widow, Helen Lenoir, or Black, an Edinburgh-born lady, would soon take up the reins of management herself.
Cast details as reviewed in The Scotsman for 16 September 1902.
© Copyright Opera Scotland 2024
Site by SiteBuddha