THE D'OYLY CARTE OPERA COMPANY

Laura Maxwell

Laura Maxwell (1890-91)

[Born Camden Town 1 Oct 1867, died Ringwood, Hampshire 5 Jan 1971]

Laura Heron Maxwell joined D'Oyly Carte Opera Company "B" in September 1890, replacing Adeline Vaudrey as Tessa in The Gondoliers. When The Yeomen of the Guard was added to the tour in December 1890 Miss Maxwell took the principal soubrette part of Phoebe Meryll. She toured as Tessa and Phoebe until June 1891 when she left the Company.

Miss Maxwell never appeared in a named part on the London Stage, though she toured as a music hall artist until 1897. The image that appears to the right is from a Dublin photographer, reproduced in a volume of "Footlight Favourites." No role is given.

In May 1968 The Gilbert & Sullivan Journal reported her 100^th birthday celebration "earlier this year" in Bournemouth. She was believed to have been the first D'Oyly Carte artist to reach that milestone.

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