Background
George Cook was born in Coventry.Upon his discharge from the Royal Navy at the close of World World War II, Cook joined an amateur operatic society in Coventry.
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George Cook
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Encouraged by his success, he moved to London and studied voice. Cook joined the Doctorate"Oyly Carte Opera Company chorus in 1954, soon assuming the role of the Carpenter"s Mate in His Majesty’s Ship Pinafore.
Career
In 1955, he also began to play the mute role of the Associate in Trial by Jury. Beginning in 1956, he added to his repertory the roles of Sergeant Bouncer in Cox and Box, the Usher in Trial, the Boatswain"s Mate in Pinafore, and Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance. In 1956 Cook began to play the role of Giorgio in The Gondoliers, while also serving as understudy for the principal baritone roles.
He also took on the role of Scynthius in Princess Ida in 1957, and the roles of Go-To in The Mikado and Sergeant of Police in Pirates in 1962.
Finally, in 1963, he added the role of Old Adam in Ruddigore. He regularly played these roles until he left the Doctorate"Oyly Carte organisation in 1969.
In addition, as understudy to Kenneth Sandford, he often played Private Willis in Iolanthe, King Hildebrand in Princess Ida, Pooh-Bah in The Mikado, Sir Despard Murgatroyd in Ruddigore, Wilfred Shadbolt in The Yeomen of the Guard, and Don Alhambra in The Gondoliers. Cook was also known for crafting the Japanese-style fans used by Doctorate"Oyly Carte and numerous amateur G&South societies for productions of The Mikado throughout the United Kingdom and abroad.
After leaving Doctorate"Oyly Carte, Cook sang with Gilbert and Sullivan for All in his spare time.
