Gabrielle Ray – Little Red Riding Hood – The Referee – Sunday 28th December 1902

Those who wish to see a very nice “Little Red Riding Hood” should not fail to pay a visit to the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, where they will find the good little girl of the celebrated scarlet cloak most daintily embodied by Miss Gabrielle Ray. Her adventures are told by Mr. Brian Daly and Mr. John East in thoroughly up-to-date fashion, with plentiful allusion to topical and local matters, which were keenly a appreciated by the audience on Christmas Eve. Of course Red Riding Hood has a sweetheart, a perfectly irresistible Prince Silvanus, impersonated by Miss Gracie Whiteford, who to an engaging presence adds a charming voice and knowledge of how to use it effectively. It may not be generally known, but Bo-Peep and Boy Blue were companions of Little Red Riding Hood, and, severally portrayed by Miss Edwards and Miss Lucia Edwards, were very helpful to the heroine. Mr. Harry Buss was discreetly humorous and most amusing as Dame Hood, and Mr. John Gourlay, as the Baron de Lupas  – “a bold, bad man, who changes to a wolf on the slightest provocation” – was a fearsome creation. Messrs. Baroux and Bion were knockabouts of most laughter-moving kind, and Mr. Arthur Watts, who appeared as Simple Simon, seems to possess an India rubber face, so obliquely expressive was it. Special features of the entertainment were a Doll Dance by the Olive Trio and a Dance Japonaisa. In its entirety this year’s pantomime is one of the best that Mr. Acton Phillips (or, rather, Mr. J. M. East for him) has mounted.

The Referee – Sunday 28^th December 1902

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Gabrielle Ray – Little Red Riding Hood – Yorkshire Gazette – Saturday 10th January 1903

 

Miss Gabrielle Ray and Mr. Arthur Watts are in the front rank as Red Riding Hood and Simple Simon at the New Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith

Yorkshire Gazette – Saturday 10th January 1903

Gabrielle Ray – Little Red Riding Hood – Programme – 1902

Bessie Ray – Little Red Riding Hood – The Referee – Sunday 13 January 1895

After “coining money” at Richmond with “Little Red Biding Hood,” Mr. George B. Phillips has shifted that pantomime and his capitally organised company to the Lyric Hall, Ealing, where it is likely to attract and delight large audiences until Saturday next. The panto, written by Victor Stevens, is one of the brightest this Christmas season has brought forth. The libretto sparkles with wit; the music and songs are of the order A1; the scenery, by E. G. Banks, is picturesque; the costumes are pleasing to the eye, and every member of “the crowd” is well up to his or her work. At the head of the favourites stands Miss Lottie Brooks, whose Red Biding Hood is positively captivating. Miss Hettie Peel makes a fine “principal boy” as Prince Amoroso, and brings down the house with her song, “Best friends of all.” The house has been roaring since Monday at Mr. Benson’s serpentine dance, and everybody has been delighted with Little Bessie Ray as Cupid. The Three Rennies score well with their grotesque and agile antics. My happiness while sitting out “Little Red Riding Hood” was marred only by the coldness of the hall. The proprietor will be wise if he makes huts to prevent his patrons from shivering.

 

The Referee – Sunday13th January 1895

Nellie Barnwell and Gladys Ray in Aladdin – 1906

 

Nellie Barnwell as Pekoe, and Gladys Ray as Pitti-Sing/Petti-Sing, in J. Bannister Howard’s touring pantomime, Aladdin, which was produced at the Crystal Palace Theatre on 24 December 1906. The principals were Lillie Lassah in the title role, Lily Gullick as the Princess, A.E. Passmore as Widow Twankey and Arthur Poole as Abanazar.

‘Miss Nellie Barnwell made a dashing Pekoe, rendering “My little Hyachinth” with a daintiness and charm that could not well be surpassed; and an engaging Pitti-Sing in Miss Gladys Ray.’
(The Era, London, Saturday, 29 December 1906,)

Gladys Ray – Aladdin – The Era – Saturday 29th December 1906

Gabrielle Ray – The Dundee Evening Telegraph – Monday 20th October 1919

“THE POSTCARD QUEEN.”

Famous Musical Comedy Beauty

To Return to the Stage.

 

The return of a one-time famous musical comedy beauty to the stage is marked by the announcement that Miss Gabrielle Ray will take the part of principal girl at the Princess Theatre, Bradford, this Christmas.

The return of this noted beauty after an absence of several years is likely one of the great events of this year’s pantomime season.

Miss Ray was married under romantic circumstances on March 1, 1912, at Windsor to Mr Eric Raymond Loder, son of the late Alfred Loder, and grandson of the late Sir Robert Loder, Bart.

The marriage ended in the Divorce Court in July of the following year, when Mrs Loder petitioned for restitution of conjugal rights. It was then disclosed that her husband had left her in the January previous, and had not answered her appeal that he should return.

Miss Ray during her career earned the title “The Postcard Queen,” her great beauty being responsible for unprecedented sales of cards picturising her in various poses. It is authentically recorded that one company alone sold between seven and ten millions of her pictures.

Miss Gabrielle Ray, who is her 34th year, made her stage debut as a child of ten at the old Princess’ Theatre. She was associated with many of Mr George Edwardes’ biggest successes, reaching the zenith popularity in the scene at Maxim’s “The Merry Widow.”

 

The Dundee Evening Telegraph – Monday 20^th October 1919

 

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

Gabrielle Ray – Robin Hood – The Scotsman – 27th December 1921

Gabrielle Ray – Robin Hood or Babes in the Wood – December 1921

 

My thanks to the University of Glasgow Archives & Special Collections, STA Fg 1/2 for providing the images of this programme and giving their permission to reproduce it here.

Gabrielle Ray – Robin Hood – Edinburgh Evening News – Tuesday 24th January 1922

ENTERTAINMENT

“ROBIN HOOD” AT THE KING’S.

 

If the King’s Theatre pantomime records truly, the days of Robin Hood must have been good old days indeed. It certainly is jolly to see the stage representation with its riot of gorgeous colouring, its many humorous interludes, and those fascinating people who help to chase away our cares – and our flu! Miss Gabrielle Ray, as Maid Marian, takes an honoured place. She is daintiness personified, and she and her juvenile “background” in her crinoline song make a pretty picture. The comedians too, are a lively bunch, and their sallies show that they can keep their humour abreast of topical happenings. The audience last night was very appreciative.

 

The Edinburgh Evening News – Tuesday 24^th January 1922

 

Gabrielle Ray – Little Red Riding Hood – The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News – Saturday 3rd October 1903

The Lyric at Hammersmith relies on the attractions – and they are many – of yet another Little Red Riding Hood, the story here being set forth in fashion designed by Messrs. Brian Daly and J. M. East. Miss Gabrielle Ray admirably fulfils her duties as the heroine, and has excellent support from Miss Gracie Whiteford, a dashing Prince, Miss Lucie Edwards as Boy Blue, her sister as Bo-Peep, Mr. John Gourlay as the Baron, Mr. A. Watts as Simple Simon, and others.

The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News – Saturday 3^rd October 1903