Gabrielle Ray – Mother Goose – Alderley and Wilmslow Advertiser – Friday 21st January 1921

Gabriele Ray – Mother Goose – The Daily Mirror – Tuesday 26th October 1920

 

Manchester’s Sunshine Ray.

 

Miss Gabrielle Ray, I hear, has been engaged for this winter’s pantomime at the Palace Theatre, Manchester – Cottonopolis’ gain, London’s loss. Her first “panto” appearance was as Cupid in “Little Red Riding Hood” at the Richmond Theatre, shortly after she had made her debut at the Princess’ as Geraldine in the “Green ‘Bushes.”

 

The Daily Mirror – Tuesday 26^th October 1920

 

Gabrielle Ray – Mother Goose – Sunday Pictorial – Sunday 19th December 1920

Mother Goose – Manchester Evening News – Tuesday 15th February 1921

The “Royal” Goose.

 

If you want to see a fine goose, a real human goose that will divert you when either humour or dancing or other things old fashioned and spectacular may have failed -now is the time to see this year’s Manchester “Royal” panto. Fred Conquest must have studied geese and their ways from prehistoric times.

Dan Lenny junr., is now at the top of his bent as Mother Goose, and Miss Gabrielle Ray continues to have her own special charm – very dainty and self-confident in every turn and gesture.

Manchester Evening News – Tuesday 15^th February 1921

Mother Goose – The Manchester Evening News – Friday 24th December 1920

MOTHER GOOSE.

 A Bird that Will Not “Get the Bird.”

 PANTOMIME TRIUMPH.

Four Hours of Fun that Tired None.

 

“Mother Goose” made an auspicious first appearance at the Theatre Royal last night. The goose proved such a delectable bird that very many weeks will pass before the appetite of Manchester audiences is satiated. There was, perhaps, trifle too much stuffing, but the head chef will quickly make that all right. No finer tribute could be paid than to record the fact that after four hours the audience was still enthusiastic.

In theatrical parlance “Mother Goose” is a bird that will not get “the bird.”

The story is neither here nor there. There was probably never any serious intention to recount the somewhat vague wanderings of the goose that laid the golden eggs. When Mr. Fred Conquest waddles on to the stage with the solemn gait of that stupid bird the joy of the audience was complete, and the story didn’t really matter.

Caleb Plummer never got so “near to nature” as did Mr. Conquest, and his work is surely the last word in impersonation.

One is truly spiteful for the many beautiful stage settings, notably the Magic Vine and the Squire’s Garden Pets. The artists have conceived their pictures in subdued tones, so that instead of headache one finds rest and enjoyment in contemplation of their work.

A NOTABLE COMPANY

 

But after all what would a pantomime be without the comedians?  Mr. John Hart has gathered around him a notable company of laughter makers who provide a very remarkable study in the contrast of styles. There is, for instance, Den Leno, Junior (shades of the past), whose quaint, jerky methods and peculiar shuffling of the feet betray his origin. As the dame who sought to regain her youth and beauty he displays histrionic gifts of no mean order.

Mr. Fred A. Leslie, solemn and restrained, at once established himself a favourite. The “Chicken Reel” dance with the goose was only one of a score of good things to the account of this comedian. Mr. J. H. Wakefield is robust and full of confidence. He has a quick wit, and when a bell rang “off “ at the wrong moment he turned it to good account, and at once the right atmosphere was created between audience and players.

With memories of the pantomimes of one’s youth there may have been a little regret that the wicked magician was such a very pleasant fellow. Red and green limelight fail to make him anything else, and one feels confident that whatever happens he would never exceed the bounds of good taste. He sang an excellent song “The Great Wide Road” with a charm that would have done credit to musical comedy hero.

Miss Gabrielle Ray, who must have discovered the secret of eternal youth, looked like a piece of Dresden china. She danced and sang with great charm, and her youthful assistants were as graceful and dainty as thistledown. Miss Madge White the attributes of a successful principal boy. She emerges as a singer of character songs, and “Swanee” in particular will be taken up by the boy in the street.

Mr. Alex Flood, under whose stage direction the pantomime is produced, must have been a very happy man to see the fruits of his labour turn out so successfully. “Mother Goose” deserves well of the public, and is a sure winner.

 

The Manchester Evening News – Friday 24^th December 1920

 

Mother Goose – Theatre Royal, Manchester – 1920

Mother Goose – Programme – 1920

Mother Goose – The Manchester Guardian – 1920

 

A.S.W’s review of “Mother Goose” includes the comment, “Miss Gabrielle Ray, with no voice to speak of, has yet a quality of distinction which is unmistakable, and which enables her to make, by sheer grace and skill in handling it, a song a bout crinolines with a juvenile chorus one of the chief successes of the evening.”

 

 

Mother Goose – The Manchester Guardian – 1921

Last two weeks of the pantomime “Mother Goose”

 

Mother Goose – The Manchester Guardian – 1921