sentences:  In the same year, he was invited to audition for Richard D'Oyly Carte's forthcoming production of "The Sorcerer" at the Opera Comique and was considered for the leading role of John Wellington Wells, but Grossmith was preferred, and Thornton was offered the position of understudy.In the production of "The Sorcerer" he appeared as "the oldest inhabitant" of the village of Ploverleigh.For the first run of "H.M.S.