W.H. Denny

W. H. Denny (22 October 1853 – 31 August 1915) was an English singer and actor best remembered for his portrayal of baritone roles in the Savoy operas.

Denny was born William Henry Leigh Dugmore at Balsall Heath, Birmingham, England. His mother, Mrs. Henry Leigh, was the original Diana in Gilbert and Sullivan's first collaboration, Thespis (1871).

Denny appeared as the child in The Stranger in Worcester at the age of six. He played juvenile parts for several years, tackling his first adult role at the Theatre Royal, Dundee in 1870.

Denny's first role in London was at Sadler's Wells Theatre in an 1872 revival of Mazeppa, a dramatisation of Byron's poem based on a legend about Ivan Mazeppa. He played the role of Simple in 1874 in The Merry Wives of Windsor at the Gaiety Theatre, London. After a series of roles in Shakespeare plays and in works by H. J. Byron, he was engaged by Richard D'Oyly Carte in 1876 for a tour as Trenitz in La fille de Madame Angot, Barthel in The Duke's Daughter, and Tarapote in La Périchole. Denny then toured America for three years with Lydia Thompson, also appearing in Philadelphia under the management of Mrs. John Drew.

Returning to London in 1879, Denny appeared as Charles Freeman in Marie Litton's production of The Beaux' Stratagem, and in her subsequent productions, in a company including John Hare and the Kendals. He appeared in comic opera in an English version of Donizetti's La fille du régiment. At the Imperial Theatre, London, he played the role of Sir Charles in She Stoops to Conquer and Corporal Foss in The Poor Gentleman, both in 1879. The same year, he created the role of Filippo in Alfred Tennyson's Falcon, winning better notices than the play. Next, he created the role of Slater in William and Susan in 1880. He played Angus Macalister in an 1881 revival of W. S. Gilbert's Engaged, before going on tour with Lillie Langtry in 1882, playing roles including Tony Lumpkin in She Stoops to Conquer.

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