Lawson, Winifred (1892–1961)

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Lawson, Winifred (1892–1961)

English actress and singer. Born Nov 15, 1892, in Wolverhampton, England; died Nov 30, 1961; dau. of Florence (Thistlewood) Lawson and Alexander Lawson (artist).

Had 1st success as a concert and festival artist; made London stage debut at Old Vic as Countess Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro (1920); appeared with D'Olyly Carte Opera Co. as guest artist in title role in Princess Ida, then replaced Helen Gilliland as their leading soprano (1922–28, 1929–31, 1932), appearing as Phyllis in Iolanthe, Casilda in The Gondoliers, Patience, Yum-Yum in The Mikado, and Elsie Maynard in The Yeomen of the Guard.

See also autobiography A Song to Sing-O! (Michael Joseph, 1955).