London Hippodrome Ball – The Referee – Sunday 9th January 1910
LONDON HIPPODROME BALL.
A REMARABLE COMMITTEE
WHAT promises to be a record gathering of charming and beautiful actresses will be seen at the London Hippodrome Ball, to be held at Prince’s Galleries next Wednesday week.
Among the ladies who are on the committee and who, have promised to attend are the Misses Sybil Arundale, Jean Aylwin, Pauline Chase, Margaret Cooper, Kate Cutler, Phyllis Dare, Zena Dare, Lily Elsie, Elizabeth Firth, Marie George, Evie Greene, Maidie Legarde, Gracie Leigh, Maggie May, Olive May, Gertie Millar, Gabrielle Ray, Jessie Rose, Ellaline Terriess, Hilda Trevelyan, and Ruth Vincent.
The committee also includes Baron Oscar von Ernsthausen, Sir Bryon Leighton, Mr. Joseph Coyne, Mr. Seymour Hicks, Mr. Leslie Stuart, and Mr. George Graves.
The London Hippodrome’s splendid orchestra will be in attendance. Dancing at 11.30 pm. ; carriages at 4 a.m. The joint-secretaries of the ball are Mr. Fred Trussell and Mr. Thomas Miller. Tickets including supper, are a guinea each, and may be obtained at the box-aloe of the Hippodrome.
The Referee – Sunday 9th January 1910
Flying Colours – New York Herald – Sunday, August 20th 1916
“Flying Colors” has been chosen by Mr. Albert de Courville as the title for the new revue which he is preparing for early production at the Hippodrome as a successor to “Joyland.” This production will see Miss Gabrielle Ray for the first time in revue, and Little Tich will have the leading comedy part. Mr. de Courville and Mr. Wal Pink are responsible for the book, and what should prove a novel and attractive feature will be a little “trench episode” written by Captain Bairnsfather, whose “Fragments from France” have so happily illustrated the humorous side of things connected with the war. For “Bairnsfatherland,” or “The Johnson ‘Ole,” as it is called, the author himself is turning his leave of absence to account in superintending the rehearsals, besides designing the scenery.
New York Herald – Sunday, August 20th 1916
A Hippodrome Ball – Pall Mall Gazette – Thursday 16th November 1911
A HIPPODROME BALL
There will be sounds of revelry to-night at Prince’s Galleries, where ball is to be given under the auspices of the London Hippodrome. Among those who have promised to be present are Miss Ruth Vincent, Miss Gabrielle Ray, Miss Florence Smithson, Miss Gertie Millar, Miss Olive May, Miss Phyllis Dare, and Miss Gracie Leigh; while Sir Edward Moss and Sir Thomas Dewar are among the patrons.
Oscar and Regine, whose waltzing is one of the features of the Hippodrome programme just now, will contribute some new evolutions in the course of the evening. The success of the ball seems assured.
Pall Mall Gazette – Thursday 16th November 1911
The Orchid – Pall Mall Gazette – Thursday 1st December 1904
“THE ORCHID” – REVISED VERSION.
The best always good enough for most us, but usually because are slow in seeing how the best may improved. The ordinary playgoer would hardly be so bold as to revise a popular comedy like “The Orchid,” for revision of established success is a ticklish task. Last night, however, saw a “re-production” of Mr. Tanner’s musical play, which meant fresh costumes, fresh dialogue in many places, and the insertion of many smart new numbers. For instance, new songs have been given to Miss Gertie Millar, Miss Connie Ediss, Miss Gabrielle Ray, and Miss Marie Studholme, among the ladies; and there were novelties for Mr. Lionel Mackinder, including rattling Irish ditty called “ Kate O’Malley,” followed by the infectious Irish jig from Miss Olive May and the corps all round the stage. One might almost say all round the house, for there were very few members of the audience who could keep their toes still while the thing was on.
One of the songs, and certainly the most topical, “The Beauty and the Barge”; another, for Miss Gertie Millar, is “Don’t Mind the Dark.” “Little Blanche Marie” is the title of Miss Studholme’s new success, and one that sure to find an echo of some sort in the pantomimes. The most daring innovation is a “cart-wheel” at the end of one of Miss Gabrielle Ray’s dances, and one could hardly desire more contrast than is provided the dance, which converts a group of automobiles into seaside loungers in bathing attire. The new version “The Orchid,” as we have said enough to show, should give it a new lease of life and run it well into next year, till its successor is ready.
Pall Mall Gazette – Thursday 1st December 1904
The New Gaiety Theatre – The Scottish Referee – Friday 16th October 1903
The New Gaiety Theatre
The latest date mentioned for Mr George Edwardes to open the new Gaiety is Saturday week. The principals in the New Gaiety’s new play, “The Orchid Hunt,” now include Messrs Payne, George Grossmith, jun., Fred Wright, jun., Harry Grattan, Robert Nainby, Will Bishop, and Lionel Mackinder, and Misses Connie Ediss, Hilda Jacobson, Gertie Millar, Lydia West, Gabrielle Ray, and Ethel Sydney.
The Scottish Referee – Friday 16th October 1903
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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