Gabrielle Ray – Stockport Heritage Magazine – Autumn 1994
My thanks to Steve Cliffe, Publisher/ Editor Stockport Heritage Magazine for allowing me to post this article by Sharza Denthick
The Merry Widow (Rotary 4869 B)
The Merry Widow (Rotary 4869 I)
Gabrielle Ray (J. Beagles 1135)
Lady Madcap – 1904 – 1905
“Lady Madcap” ran from 17th December 1904 for 354 performances at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London until 25th November 1905. During the run Miss Ray played the part of “Susan,” Lady’s Maid to “Lady Betty Clarridge.” The Bystander, 22nd November 1905 shows that she also took the title role of “Lady Betty Clarridge.”
New Musical Play Succeeds
London, Dec. 17 – “Lady Madcap,” a new musical play by Nownham Davis and Paul Rubens, with which George Edwardes opened his season at the Prince of Wales theatre tonight, scored a notable success. Maurice Farkoa, G. P. Huntley and Aubrey Fitzgerald, on their first appearance since their return from the United States, were received with enthusiasm.
The Salt Lake Tribune, 18th December 1904.
Lady Madcap finished its career at the Prince of Wales’s on Saturday (25th November 1915) after 354 performances.
The Stage, 30th November 1905
Gabrielle Ray – Graham Loton – 1983
My thank to Graham Loton for he use of his article written in 1983 to commemorate the centenary of Miss Ray’s birth. The images from this copy aren’t very clear, I have therefore added links to the respective cards.
The Lady Dandies (Rotary 4447 C)
Remembering Miss Gabrielle Ray
Gabrielle Ray, born in Cheadle, Stockport, was a stage actress, dancer and singer, best known for her roles in Edwardian musical comedies. She became one of the most photographed women in the world and her photograph was much sought after by popular publications and leading photographers of the day. Gaiety Girl Gabrielle Ray was considered one of the most beautiful actresses on the London stage and her career flourished throughout the early 1900s. Unfortunately, she struggled with depression and her health declined through alcohol abuse. In 1936, she suffered a breakdown and spent almost 40 years in institutions.
Despite Ray’s story ending in such grave sadness, she was a wonderful woman and an inspiration. To learn more about her life, her career and the wonderful costumes she would wear visit Stockport Central Library and the bright lights of Edwardian theatre shows in ‘Remembering Miss Gabrielle Ray’!
24th October 2013
About
One of my main interests is a love of old pictures and postcards that give us a brief glimpse into a past and often forgotten age.
Collecting old postcard and pictures enables the viewer to glimpse a brief moment from that individual’s life; often far removed from their own either by the passage of time or social class. Social History, often described as “history from below” shows everyday people, their social structure and the interaction of different groups; like the wealthy and politicians these people helped shape and maintain society and so shape history.
Examining the images one can’t help but wonder how the individuals lived, were their lives hard compared with today and were they happy. Often the images come with little or no information that can answer these questions, one can only imagine.
With each image saved and seen by others, so that moment, that person is kept alive, our understanding is increased and so our lives are enriched.
A picture is often more descriptive than words can ever be, but how true is this, if a picture enables us to gain entry to another time, another world, will, like the view from a different window, even in the same house provide a different image?
These images allow a glimpse into another time, another era; but what preceded or followed this image? As the individuals were positioned and posed like an artist’s model is what we see truly reflective or like the slightly softened image of an aging beauty a less that truthful representation?
I am reminded of a documentary I watched several years ago regarding the returning troops from the front during the First World War. The camera images show a broken, demoralised sea of humanity, young men who having seen images that most of us hope never to witness had lost that sparkle; that zest which only youth has. But bring on the news camera and that battered returning group came to life, the smiles returned and even though muddied and bloodied their heads and bodies became erect, their arms swung in time and they demonstrated a swagger that spoke of courage, defiance and determination; an image that gave hope to the viewer.
It seems to me that even in the early days of photography all was not what it appeared and now in the advancing digital age a picture may paint a thousand words but will it be factual or fiction?
My interests And collections vary from Maids, Nuns, religious dress and the more risqué images of the French Maid. Often when searching for a particular subject the boundaries cross and as well as true Maids we find Edwardian actresses dressed as Nuns or Maids. During one of my searches I came across Gabrielle Ray dressed as a Maid, “Susan” in Lady Madcap and was instantly captivated by her.
Collecting the individual cards isn’t enough; I like to know more about the individual, which is easier when that person is an actress, although often the information is scarce
Searching for information about Miss Ray I discovered that she was one of the most photographed women of the Edwardian era and described in “Temps” as the most beautiful woman in the United Kingdom; but sadly her success, if measured by being visibly working or in the public eye was short-lived. She struggled with depression and alcohol abuse, and her health declined. In 1936, she suffered a complete mental breakdown and was institutionalized for nearly forty years; dying in 1973 at Holloway Sanatorium at the age of 90.
There are several other sites and blogs dedicated to the memory of Miss Ray and my intention is to share my small but growing collection of pictures and postcards with anyone who shares my interest. Reading about Miss Ray I was saddened that this lady, like many others before and since, after a brief moment in the sun they are soon forgotten. Hopefully as people view and enjoy this blog her memory will remain alive for a little longer.
I have started to write a short Biography about Miss Ray which I will try to update as frequently as possible. The Index page will show any updates under the Biography catagory.
I have also tried to link the various postcards and pictures to the plays in which Miss Ray appeared, however I realise, after several errors that this isn’t an easy task as many are decorative studio poses rather than production images. The individual Rotary, Philco and other publishers numbers are included with any description which should make searching for a particular card or ones from the same set easier. If I have made any glaring errors please feel free to let me know.
Thank you and I hope you enjoy my collection as much as I do.
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