Roland Cunningham 1899- - signed postcard Size: 3.5in x 5.5in / 9cm x 14cm United Kingdom - Pre 1920 Signed: 'Yours Sincerely Roland Cunningham' Autographed black & white gloss photo postcard (Rotary. 4213 G.). Unused. Postcard shows Mr Roland Cunningham as 'Alexis Sparidoff' in the 'Chocolate Soldier' The Two Roses [Original, Musical, Comedy] Performer: Roland Cunningham [Philip Merivale] Nov 21, 1904 - Dec 17, 1904 Roland Cunningham performed frequently on the London Stage in musical theatre from 1895, when he made is London debut in the opera bouffe Dandy Dick Whittington at the Avenue Theatre, until 1914 when he made a return appearance as Alexius Sparidoff in The Chocolate Soldier at the Lyric, a role he had played in the neighborhood of 500 times during its initial run at the Lyric in 1910-11. His only appearance under D'Oyly Carte auspices, was a two-month engagement with D'Oyly Carte Company "D" from July to September 1899. He was engaged to play John Manners in Haddon Hall, but probably also played a part (likely Tapioca) in The Lucky Star, as well. He left the D'Oyly Carte organization when Company "D" disbanded on September 30, 1899. Cunningham also made one appearance in New York, as Philip Merivale in the musical comedy The Two Roses (Broadway Theatre, 1904). [r]
