English composer.
George Frederick Norton started his career in the insurance industry, but later studied singing. After an engagement with the Carl Rosa Opera Company (he reportedly toured as the Monk in Audran's La Poupée), Norton began appearing on the English variety stage (ca. early 1900s) as a baritone. He also presented a turn that featured musical monologues. During this time, Norton began writing his own material and had numerous songs published. He also composed music for a number of stage works, including The Water Maidens (1901), Pinkie and the Fairies (1908), an adaptation of Orpheus in the Underground for Sir Herbert Beerbolm Tree (1912, with Alfred Noyes), What Ho! Daphne (1913), and The Passing Show (1915). Norton's most successful musical score, if not his most famous, was Chu Chin Chow, written, directed by, and starring Oscar Asche. It premiered in 1916 and ran for five years, setting a West End record that remained unbroken for almost forty years. Norton himself sang the role of Ali Baba on several occasions during its London run.
His other musical shows include Pamela (1917), The Willow Pattern Plate (n. date), and the unperformed The Stone of Destiny.
