THE D'OYLY CARTE OPERA COMPANY

Dorice Cullerne in Ruddigore

Dorice Cullerne (1921-25)

[Born Hendon, North London 13 Oct 1894, died Abbots Bay, Cumbria 14 Aug 1977]

Doris Cullerne Etherington was trained at the Guildhall School of Music before performing in Bournemouth in a summer concert party. In 1917-18 she toured as Sombra in The Arcadians, later appearing in Lilac Domino and Soldier Boy.

She joined the D'Oyly Carte Repertory Opera Company chorus in April 1921. For the following (July 1921-July 1922) season, she was given the small part of First Bridesmaid in Trial by Jury and made the occasional appearance as Peep-Bo in The Mikado. The next season (July 1922-June 1923) she retained First Bridesmaid, shared Peep-Bo with Eileen Sharp, shared Ada in Princess Ida with Eleanor Evans, and filled in on occasion for Winifred Lawson as Patience in the opera of that name.

In July 1923 she transferred to the D'Oyly Carte "New" Opera Company as one of two principal sopranos. Miss Cullerne played Yum-Yum in The Mikado and Casilda in The Gondoliers. In July 1924 Gondoliers was dropped from the "New" Company repertoire, but Ruddigore and The Yeomen of the Guard were added. Miss Cullerne took Rose Maybud in the former and, beginning in December 1924, Kate in the latter. She left the D'Oyly Carte in June 1925, marrying and giving up her stage career.

In 1933 she joined a radio act known as The Yorkshire Mummers, and was heard regularly on broadcasts from the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool.

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