THE D'OYLY CARTE OPERA COMPANY

Effie Mason as Little Buttercup in children's H.M.S. Pinafore

Effie Mason (1885-87)

[Born London 4 Mar 1870]

Effie Mason appeared at the Opera Comique under D'Oyly Carte management as a nine-year-old Little Buttercup (December 1879-March 1880) in the children's production of H.M.S. Pinafore staged while The Pirates of Penzance was playing in New York. She also went on tour as Buttercup in 1880-81. She was still a youngster when she made her next London appearance as Hans in Planquette's Rip Van Winkle (Comedy Theatre, beginning in October 1882).

Miss Mason was one of two performers in Carte's children's Pinafore to later appear with the D'Oyly Carte organization in a regular adult production. (George W. Cockburn was the other.) Still just fifteen years old in July 1885, she began touring with Mr. D'Oyly Carte's "D" Company as Pitti-Sing in The Mikado. She toured with "D" Company until June 1886, then toured with Carte's "E" Company in the same role from September 1886 to July 1887.

M Index  |  "Who Was Who" Homepage