Gabrielle Ray – Streatham News – Friday 29 October 1915
In addition to Mdlle. Adeline Genee, who has returned to her former love of dancing, two other popular London favourites, after marrying and resting for a time, are now back on the boards. Miss Lily Elsie is at His Majesty’s in “Mavourneen” and Miss Gabrielle Ray at Daly’s in “Betty.” Hearty welcomes awaited both of them.
Streatham News – Friday 29th October 1915
Gabrielle Ray – Betty – Streatham News – Friday 29th October 1915
In addition to Mdlle. Adeline Gence, who has returned to her former love of dancing, two other popular London favourites, after marrying and resting for a time, are now back on the boards. Miss Lily Elsie is at His Majesty’s in “Mavourneen” and Miss Gabrielle Ray at Daly’s in “Betty.” Hearty welcomes awaited both of them.
Streatham News – Friday 29th October 1915
Amy Webster – The Lady Dandies – The Daily News (London) – Saturday 9th February 1907
DALY’S THEATRE.
THIS DAY. At 2.30 and 8.15. THE LADY DANDIES (the Merveilleuses). Messers.Robert Evett, W. Louis Bradfield, W. H. Berry. Fred Kaye, Willie Warde. Herbert O’Connor, Cleather, Roberts, and Huntley Wright Misses Denise Orme, Gabrielle Ray. Elizabeth Firth, Amy Webster, and Erie Greene.
The Daily News (London) – Saturday 9th February 1907
Mr. Basil Foster – The Sketch – Wednesday 29th June 1910
TO BE MARRIED TO-DAY. MISS GWENDOLINE BROGDEN AND MR. BASIL S. FOSTER, OF DALY’S.
Miss Gwendoline Brogden and Mr. Basil S. Foster are to be married to-day (Wednesday) at the Roman Catholic Church, Spanish Place, W. Miss Brogden, it will be remembered, understudied Miss Gabrielle Ray in “The Merry Widow,” and has played Cinderella in “Pinkie and the Fairies,” at His Majesty’s, and other parts. Mr. Foster, who plays John, Earl of Quorn, in “The Dollar Princess,” at Daly’s, is well known as an athlete. At golf his handicap is scratch. He has played football for the Corinthians, the Casuals, and the Old Malvernians. For three years he played racquets for Malvern. Ten years ago, in company with Mr. W. H. B. Evans, he won the Public Schools Cup. With his brother, Mr. H. K. Foster, and also with Captain W. L. Foster, he has won the amateur double racquets championship. This year he won it with the Hon, C. N. Bruce. He plays cricket for Worcestershire, for the Free Foresters, for the M.C.C., and for Hampstead.
The Sketch – Wednesday 29th June 1910
Gabrielle Ray – Les Merveilleuses – The Morning Leader – Tuesday 21st August 1906
NEW PLAY AT DALYS.
LADIES OF THE DIRECTOIRE IN NOVEL MUSICAL COMEDY.
Mr. Hugo Felix, the composer of the music for Mr. George Edwardes’s next production at Daly’s – a musical play based on Sardou’s ‘”Les Merveilleuses” – reached London from the Continent on Sunday: and yesterday the rehearsals of the new play were commenced. The libretto is by Capt. Basil Hood.
“Les Merveilleuses” were the beautiful ladies who are said to have practically controlled the destinies of France throughout the period of the Directoire. The leader of this fascinating band will be Miss Evie Greene, who makes her reappearance on the London stage in the new piece.
The other parts will be played by Miss Mariette Sully, Miss Denise Orme, Miss Gabrielle Ray, Messrs. Robert Evett, Louis Bradfield, Fred Kaye, W. H. Berry, George Graves, and Willie Warde. The production is expected at the end of September.
The Morning Leader – Tuesday 21st August 1906
Gabrielle Ray – The Merry Widow – The Morning Leader – Friday 8th January 1909
“GEORGIE”
THE BEST DANCER IN THE WORLD.
“Georgie,” the pet of the Parisians, reputed to be the best ballroom dancer in the world, will introduce a sensational new dance in “The Merry Widow” at Daly’s next week. Miss Gabrielle Ray is to assist him. “Georgie” describes the dance as an eccentric two – step, with a dash of the Beston and a reminiscence of the Spanish Tango.
The Morning Leader – Friday 8th January 1909
Gabrielle Ray – The Dollar Princess – The London Evening Standard – Saturday 16th October 1909
The cast shows Miss Ray, who played the part of “Daisy” with Lily Elsie in the role of “Alice, The Dollar Princess”
Miss Clara Evelyn plays the part for Lily Elsie during the matinee performance.
Clara Evelyn – The Merry Widow – The Bystander – Wednesday 5th August 1908
MISS CLARA EVELYN AS THE “MERRY WIDOW” WHICH PART SHE IS NOW PLAYING ON TOUR.
It will be remembered that a few months back she made quite a sensation at Daly’s Theatre by her admirable playing of this role at a few hours notice owing to the sudden indisposition of the principal, Miss Lily Elsie.
The Bystander – Wednesday 5th August 1908
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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