THE D'OYLY CARTE OPERA COMPANY

David James as Alexander McCollop in The Romance of the Shopwalker

David James (1884, 1885)

[Born Covent Garden 28 Aug 1857, died 25 Apr 1917]

David S. James was the son of a better-known comedic actor of the same name. He had two D'Oyly Carte engagements on tour as principal comic baritone:first as King Gama with Mr. D'Oyly Carte's "A" ("Princess Ida" No. 2) Company from February to December 1884 (also serving as stage manager for the production), and then briefly as Ko-Ko in The Mikado with Carte's "D" Company in November and December 1885.

The younger James later worked in London at several theatres as a legitimate actor between 1891 and 1896. His roles included the occasional musical part, one of which was the Duke of Turniptopshire in W. S. Gilbert & George Grossmith's Haste to the Wedding (Criterion, July-August 1892).




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