Frank Thornton (1845 â€" 18 December 1918) was an English actor,
singer, comedian and producer. Despite a successful stage career in
comedies in London, on tour and abroad, Thornton is probably best
remembered as the understudy to George Grossmith in a series of
Gilbert and Sullivan operas from 1877 to 1884.Thornton began his stage
career giving drawing-room entertainments while simultaneously working
in a commercial office in London, keeping his theatrical activities
secret from his office employers for four years. He was engaged by
Richard D'Oyly Carte as understudy to George Grossmith in the Gilbert
and Sullivan operas, also playing roles in some of the curtain raisers
played with the operas. In 1881, he created a small principal role in
Patience and resigned from his office post. In 1883, he played the
Lord Chancellor in a tour of Iolanthe.Thornton left the D'Oyly Carte
Opera Company in 1884 and began a long series of tours of Australia in
stage comedies, notably The Private Secretary, interspersed with
appearances in burlesques, farces and other plays on the London stage
and on tour. He rejoined D'Oyly Carte in the 1890s in London and on
tour, and later returned to touring Australia in comedies including
Charley's Aunt.
singer, comedian and producer. Despite a successful stage career in
comedies in London, on tour and abroad, Thornton is probably best
remembered as the understudy to George Grossmith in a series of
Gilbert and Sullivan operas from 1877 to 1884.Thornton began his stage
career giving drawing-room entertainments while simultaneously working
in a commercial office in London, keeping his theatrical activities
secret from his office employers for four years. He was engaged by
Richard D'Oyly Carte as understudy to George Grossmith in the Gilbert
and Sullivan operas, also playing roles in some of the curtain raisers
played with the operas. In 1881, he created a small principal role in
Patience and resigned from his office post. In 1883, he played the
Lord Chancellor in a tour of Iolanthe.Thornton left the D'Oyly Carte
Opera Company in 1884 and began a long series of tours of Australia in
stage comedies, notably The Private Secretary, interspersed with
appearances in burlesques, farces and other plays on the London stage
and on tour. He rejoined D'Oyly Carte in the 1890s in London and on
tour, and later returned to touring Australia in comedies including
Charley's Aunt.
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