Peter Pratt

Peter Pratt (March 21 1923–January 11 1995) was an English actor and singer who started his career in the Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas, and later moved to radio and television work. He was born in Eastbourne and died in London.

D'Oyly Carte years

Peter Pratt joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in September 1945, having had only amateur theatrical experience previously. He began to play small roles with the company in 1947. In the 1948–49 season, he became second understudy to Martyn Green and continued to play several of the smaller roles. He got his big break when he was called upon to play Robin Oakapple in "Ruddigore" on short notice in May 1949 (and several of the other "patter" roles that summer), when both Green and the principal understudy fell ill. He was soon given the primary understudy responsibilities, filling in for most of the comic "patter" roles, as well as playing several of the other smaller roles from time to time.

In September 1951, exactly six years after joining the company, Pratt became the principal comedian following Green's departure, and he served in that capacity for the next eight seasons. He suffered an illness in the spring of 1959, and his last appearance with the company was on May 30 1959. During his tenure with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, Pratt recorded Major Murgatroyd ("Patience", 1951), John Wellington Wells ("The Sorcerer", 1953), King Gama ("Princess Ida", 1955), Ko-Ko ("The Mikado", 1957), and Major-General Stanley ("The Pirates of Penzance", 1957).

Later years

After leaving the D'Oyly Carte organisation, Pratt turned his attention to theatre, television, concert, and radio work. He was a member of the BBC Drama Repertory Company in the early 1960s. His love of Gilbert and Sullivan remained undiminished, however, and he frequently turned to their operas for inspiration. As a writer, narrator, and performer he presented a television play called Jack Point, and radio programs such as "Afternoon at the Savoy", "Evening at the Savoy", and "Take a Sparkling Pair". Pratt also toured his own company, "Music Mosaic," presenting Gilbert and Sullivan and other works to audiences in Britain, North America, and Australia. He appeared in a full costume production of "The Mikado" at Royal Albert Hall.

In 1966, BBC Radio presented a complete cycle of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, with dialogue, with Pratt starring in most of them and working behind the scenes as co-producer. Pratt became possibly the first professionals to sing the comic "patter" lead in all thirteen extant Gilbert and Sullivan operas when he recorded "Utopia Limited" and "The Grand Duke" for that series. [Shepherd, Marc. [http://www.cris.com/~oakapple/gasdisc/narradio.htm Links to each of these recordings] at "A Gilbert and Sullivan Discography" (2001). It is possible that Raymond Allen or someone else at the American Savoyards had sung all of the roles first.] He also appeared as a soloist in the concert video recording "Gilbert & Sullivan Present their Greatest Hits," made at Royal Albert Hall in 1982.

He appeared in the BBC science fiction television series "Doctor Who" in the role of the Master in the serial "The Deadly Assassin", primarily because an actor with a strong voice was required for two reasons; the character's face was unseen for most of the serial and, even when seen, a strong voice was needed to project through the thick face mask that covered the actor's face.

Pratt was married to D'Oyly Carte soubrette Joyce Wright during his days with the Company. He later married Patience Sheffield, daughter of former D'Oyly Carte baritone Leo Sheffield.

Filmography

*"The Best of Gilbert and Sullivan "(1983) (V) .... Soloist
*"Squadron" The Veteran (1982) TV .... Len Travis
*"The Story of Ruth" (1981) .... Dr. Peter Ferris
*"Doctor Who" "The Deadly Assassin" (1976) TV .... The Master
*"Fall of Eagles" (1974) TV .... Singer
*"Z Cars" Cadet (1973) TV .... Fisherman
*"Play for Today" Jack Point (1973) TV .... Fenner
*"Menace" The Solarium (1973) TV .... Singer
*"The Brontes of Haworth" (1973) TV .... Mr. Woolven
*"Murder Must Advertise" (1973) TV .... Mr. Pym
*"Van der Valk" Blue Notes (1972) TV .... Westermann
*"The Edwardians" (1972) TV .... Charlie Coburn
*"The Stackton Music Festival" The Enchanting World of Hinge & Bracket TV ... Himself

Notes

References

*cite book|last=Ayre|first=Leslie|year=1972|title=The Gilbert & Sullivan Companion|location=London|publisher=W.H. Allen & Co Ltd Introduction by Martyn Green.

External links

*
* [http://math.boisestate.edu/gas/whowaswho/P-Q/PrattPeter.htm Peter Pratt] at Who Was Who in the D'Oyly Carte
* [http://pinafore.www3.50megs.com/p-pratt.html Profile of Pratt]
* [http://www.hostultra.com/~daisybtoes/Koko2.html Photos of Pratt as Ko-Ko and "The Master"]