Opera Scotland

Yeomen of the Guard 1891Mr R D'Oyly Carte's Principal Repertoire Company

Read more about the opera Yeomen of the Guard

The development of their repertoire system saw the D'Oyly Carte performing The Mikado, Yeomen and Gondoliers in one week, with Iolanthe joining them later in this extensive Scottish tour. A week in Aberdeen, starting 31 August, included a Command Performance of The Mikado at Balmoral, followed by a week in Dundee. In mid-December, with some cast changes, a fortnight in Dundee, including Christmas Day, was followed by a fortnight in Aberdeen running through New Year into 1892.

Inevitably at this time of year, the common cold took its toll of singers, so Fred Billington withdrew halfway through a performance of The Mikado on 7 Sep, and missed the next three performances - the press did not mention the name of his cover. On 18 December, Margaret Cockburn was ill, and her cover did attract sufficient positive reaction to justify identifying her.

Further Scottish dates to be added (including the Aberdeen performances in January 1892).