Dorothy Brunton

Christine Dorothy Brunton (11 October 1890 – 5 June 1977), popularly known as Dorothy Brunton (or more familiarly as 'Dot'), was an Australian singer and actress prominent in musical comedy in Australia and England from the early-1910s to the mid-1930s. She was born into a theatrical family, her mother had been an actress and her father worked as a stage scene designer and painter. Her early roles were in melodramas for the Bland Holt touring company, for which her father worked. From October 1910 Brunton was engaged by J. C. Williamson's New Comic Opera Company, performing in musical comedy roles and acting as understudy to more established actresses.

By the outbreak of World War I, Brunton was playing leading roles in J. C. Williamson's productions. She became associated with recruitment and patriotic fund-raising efforts and became a favourite with Australian soldiers. In September 1917, Brunton travelled to the United States, where she appeared in several productions but achieved only moderate theatrical success. She arrived in London in June 1918, where she found a small part in a West End production. Her fame grew after rapturous responses to her performances by Australian soldiers on leave.

After the war ended, Brunton lived in London and the United States, occasionally returning to Australia where she was acclaimed as a much-beloved performer. After a nine-month tour of South Africa in 1926-7 and a couple of moderately-successful plays in London, Brunton returned to Australia in 1930 for theatrical engagements by J. C. Williamson Ltd. She married in 1931. In 1934, she retired from the stage and returned to London with her husband. After the death of her husband, Brunton returned to Australia in 1947 and lived in Sydney until her death in 1977, aged 86.

Birth and Death Data: Born Melbourne (capital city of Victoria, Australia), Died June 5, 1977 (Darlinghurst (suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) )

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1918 - 1922

Roles Represented in DAHR: soprano vocal

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 77830 10-in. 5/20/1918 It was a lover and his lass Dorothy Brunton ; Paul Dufault Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, soprano vocal  
Columbia 77831 10-in. 5/20/1918 Nearest and dearest Dorothy Brunton ; Paul Dufault Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, soprano vocal  
Columbia 49405 12-in. 12/31/1918 In Monterey Dorothy Brunton Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, soprano vocal  
Columbia 49406 12-in. 12/31/1918 Down among the sheltering palms Dorothy Brunton Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, soprano vocal  
Columbia 49411 12-in. approximately 1918 Keep me in your heart Dorothy Brunton Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, soprano vocal  
Columbia 49413 12-in. approximately 1918 God send you back to me Dorothy Brunton Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, soprano vocal  
Columbia 49414 12-in. approximately 1918 Love's own kisses Dorothy Brunton Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, soprano vocal  
Columbia 49415 12-in. approximately 1918 The bubble Dorothy Brunton Female vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, soprano vocal  
Columbia 49423 12-in. approximately May 15, 1918 Barcarolle Dorothy Brunton ; Paul Dufault Vocal duet (soprano and tenor), with orchestra vocalist, soprano vocal  
Columbia 49424 12-in. approximately May 15, 1918 Rose of my heart Dorothy Brunton ; Paul Dufault Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, soprano vocal  
Columbia 76261 12-in. approximately October 1918 The goblin's glide Dorothy Brunton ; Drury Lane Theatre Orchestra ; Maurice Jacobi Female vocal solo, with chorus and orchestra vocalist, soprano vocal  
Columbia 76262 12-in. approximately October 1918 In Shanghai Dorothy Brunton ; Drury Lane Theatre Orchestra ; Maurice Jacobi ; Alfred Lester Vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, soprano vocal  
Columbia 76676 12-in. approximately 10/29/1919 Married life Dorothy Brunton ; Jacques Greebe ; Shaftesbury Theatre Orchestra ; Ronald Squire Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, soprano vocal  
Columbia 76678 12-in. approximately 10/29/1919 Green grass grew all round Dorothy Brunton ; Davy Burnaby ; Walter Catlett ; Jacques Greebe ; Shaftesbury Theatre Orchestra ; Ronald Squire Mixed vocal quartet, with orchestra vocalist, soprano vocal  
Columbia 76679 12-in. approximately 10/29/1919 Supposing Dorothy Brunton ; Walter Catlett ; Jacques Greebe ; Shaftesbury Theatre Orchestra Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra vocalist, soprano vocal  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Brunton, Dorothy," accessed December 24, 2025, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/305978.

Brunton, Dorothy. (2025). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved December 24, 2025, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/305978.

"Brunton, Dorothy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2025. Web. 24 December 2025.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/305978

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