Nothing Whatever to Grumble At
JOHN REED OBE Born near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, John spent his early years in the theatre playing in weekly repertory. A chance meeting with a friend resulted in an audition for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, which John joined in 1951 as a chorister and understudy to the principal comedian Peter Pratt. Eight years later he took over the comic roles and became a great favourite with audiences, here in the UK and throughout the USA and Canada. After leaving the company John was much in demand in America, both to direct and to perform in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas. He was awarded the OBE in 1977. CYNTHIA  MOREY Hampshire-born Cynthia Morey trained in singing at the Royal College of Music, London, before joining the chorus of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in 1951. Three years later she became a principal soprano, leaving the company in 1957, and eventually joining Sadler's Wells Opera, where as a principal mezzo she played many character roles in operetta. As well as performing in the UK, Cynthia toured the USA, Australia, New Zealand and throughout Europe.  She has also appeared in many West End musicals, and has written two books of theatrical reminiscences