The Royal Opera Comique theatre
opened in London in 1870 and would in the late 70s and early 1880s host the premiere
productions of four of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas. Producer Richard D'Oyly
Carte's first attempt to create a home for light opera in London began when he
took over the lease of the Op Com in 1874, first presenting “The Broken Branch”,
founded on Gaston Serpette's “La Branche Casee”, which opened on 22nd August
1874. This first night programme has an extensive statement on the front cover
in which Carte sets out his plans for the venue and discusses the piece. Musical
director was Hamilton Clarke who would later arrange many of the G&S
overtures including “The Mikado”. Cast details are given below*. The 6” x 9.5”
programme has an embossed border and the original owner has written on the
cover “1st night 22/8/74” along with a reference number. The opening
night date is repeated inside on the second of four pages. The back cover has
an advert for Rimmel perfumery. Although removed from an album, with the usual
scarring at the spine, the programme is in good clean condition with 2
horizontal creases and other minor signs of wear.
* The cast of “The Broken Branch”
included Pattie Laverne, Adelaide Newton, Mrs Power, Pauline Rita, Thomas
Appleby, JH Jarvis, and John Chatterson.
This
item was formerly in the collection of John Cannon, the respected G&S
collector and researcher who died in 2021. He left instructions that all
collectors should have a chance to acquire the treasures in his collection,
which will therefore be auctioned here over the next year or so by
StageMemories and PaperJoys. Please let us know if you would like to be added
to a mailing list, to be informed of all or specific items from John’s
collection.
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