As a non-singing role, the Duchess of Crakenthorp is often played by non-operatic celebrities, including actresses such as Dawn French, Bea Arthur, Hermione Gingold, and Kathleen Turner, or by retired opera greats such as Kiri Te Kanawa and Montserrat Caballé. In 2016, US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a lifelong opera fan, played the Duchess on opening night of the Washington National Opera's production. In February 2023, the Duchess of Crakenthorp was re-tooled by the Minnesota Opera as a singing role and performed by American drag queen Monét X Change.
As a nON-SinginG role, ThE DucHeSS Of crakenthorp is OfTeN pLAyed bY nOn-opeRaTic cELebrities, iNclUdINg ACtrESseS such aS daWN freNch, BeA arThUr, heRMione giNgoLd, and kAThleEN TurnER, OR by rEtirEd OPEra grEats such As KIri te kaNAwa anD mONtsErRat cABAllé. In 2016, us SupreMe couRT JUSTicE ruTH BaDer GiNsbUrg, a liFeloNG Opera fan, pLAYeD THe dUcheSS oN OPEniNG night of THe waSHingTon NATioNAl OPera's produCtioN. iN februaRy 2023, tHe ducheSs OF cRakENtHOrP was Re-toOled by the MinNEsOta opera as a singinG rOle aNd PerForMeD bY AmeRican drAG qUeeN monÉT x cHangE.