Kenneth Sandford
1924 - 2004
Thomas Round with Ken Sandford - Buxton Opera House August 2000
Ken was born on 28th June 1924 in Godalming Surrey, although the family home was Sheffield. He studied Art and obtained a scholarship to the Royal College of Art in London. However, before he could take it up he was called up into the RAF during the second world war. At the end of the war he awaited demob by running art classes and painting scenery. He then took up his scholarship. He enjoyed singing and started to take lessons - this eventually lead to him getting a part in the chorus of Carousel.
In 1952 he married Pauline Joyce. After many successful shows, including working with the "Crazy Gang" he was "granted" an audition by Bridget D'Oyly Carte and on 1st May 1957 he signed the contract with the company.
He had to learn all the parts very quickly and over the years he has honed these parts to the perfection for which he is now known. His first G&S was The Mikado in which he took the part of Pooh-Bah - the rest is history - a career with the D'Oyly Carte of 25 years.
This is the famous production of Yeomen which took place in the Tower of London in 1962
Kenneth was Shadbolt and Tom Round was Fairfax
Here is Kenneth again as Shadbolt with Philip Potter as Fairfax, Donald Adams as Sergeant Merryll and Joyce Write as Phoebe
Ken's parts with the D'Oyly Carte were:-
The Sergeant of Police - Pirates (He has said that he did not enjoy this part very much!)
Archibald Grosvenor - Patience
King Hildebrand - Princess Ida
Pooh-Bah - The Mikado
Sir Despard Murgatroyd - Ruddigore
Wilfred Shadbolt - Yeomen of the Guard
The Grand Inquisitor - Gondoliers
King Paramount - Utopia Ltd.
Click on the underlined characters to see pictures of Ken. (The others will follow later!)