Joan Keddie (born Dundee 1878, died Glasgow 12 Aug 1921)
Soprano Joanne Paterson Keddie joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company "D," billed as the "Savoy Touring Company," in September 1901, appearing as Kathleen in The Emerald Isle until April 1902, when she was summoned to the Savoy. There she created the part of the May Queen in Merrie England. Merrie England ran through July 1902, but Miss Keddie was replaced as May Queen by Olive Rae at some point during the run. Her only other appearance in a named part on the London Stage was as Signorina Tasso in The Cingalee (Daly's, March 1904). She was the first of five artists to take the role in a run that lasted just over a year.
Apart from her D’Oyly Carte career (1901-1902), Keddie toured extensively and was one of the most admired performers of her generation – as the May Queen in Merry England and Diana in Rob Roy amongst many other parts. In her relatively short life, she had become a famous actress and singer, popular both with the public and in the profession.