John Broad(I)
- Actor
John Broad joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company as a bass chorister in
September 1969. He later took the smaller roles of Second Yeoman in
"The Yeomen of the Guard", Bob Becket in "HMS Pinafore", The Foreman in
"Trial by Jury", Go-To in "The Mikado" (also recorded by Decca),
Giorgio in "The Gondoliers", Captain Corcoran in "Utopia Limited" (also
recorded), and the Herald in the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company's concert
performance of "The Grand Duke". In March 1971 moved up to the larger
role of Sir Richard in "Yeomen of the Guard" and added the part of the
Notary in the Company's brand new production of "The Sorcerer". He also
swapped roles in "Trial by Jury", taking on the larger part of The
Usher. Broad also understudied many of the bass-baritone roles in the
Savoy Operas, and played them when required. These included Dr Daly in
"The Sorcerer", Captain Corcoran in "HMS Pinafore", Colonel Calverley
in "Patience", Private Willis in "Iolanthe", and Don Alhambra del
Bolero in "The Gondoliers". He left the Company in 1975, but returned
for the 1979/80 season to guest as The Notary in "The Sorcerer". Work
undertaken since leaving the Carte include teaching singing and theatre
studies in Leicester, as well as directing school and amateur
productions. He has also performed with the Magic of Gilbert and
Sullivan concert group. He married fellow D'Oyly Carter, soprano
Rosalind Griffiths in 1974.