Gabrielle Ray – The Babes in the Wood – The Weekly Dispatch (London) – Sunday 26th October 1919
GABRIELLE RAY BACK.
Miss Gabrielle Ray, formerly musical comedy star, is to return to the stage. She has accepted an engagement as principal girl in the pantomime “The Babes in the Wood” at Bradford, which will open on Christmas Eve.
Her salary is said to be the biggest ever paid for a principal girl in pantomime. Miss Ray has engaged to appear ON THE London music-hall stage at the end of March.
The Weekly Dispatch (London) – Sunday 26th October 1919
Gabrielle Ray – Red Riding Hood – Fulham Chronicle – Friday 16th January 1903
THE LYRIC – “Little Red Riling Hood” still holds her merry sway at the Lyric, where she is being visited by tremendous crowds. The old, old story of the ravenous wolf, of the wicked Baron, of Prince Sylvanus and other of her childhood acquaintances is being told with added fun and vigour; as week succeeds week the tale takes on some new phase, and becomes more laughable than ever. The putty-faced simple, simple Simon with his absurd pranks, is worth seeing; and his fond mother, as represented by Mr. Harry Buss, is overpoweringly droll. “Riding Hood” is capitally portrayed by Miss Gabrielle Ray, and Miss Gracie Whiteford adds charm to her interpretation of the Prince, her acting and singing being very fine. This week the Dagmar Troupe of acrobats give a performance, and new specialities are to be introduced next week.
Fulham Chronicle – Friday 16th January 1903
Gabrielle Ray – Little Red Riding Hood – Fulham Chronicle – Friday 9th January 1903
The Daily Telegraph wrote; Miss Gabrielle Ray proved a dainty and sprightly heroine, and at once captivated all hearts by her singing and dancing.
Fulham Chronicle – Friday 9th January 1903
Fred Walmsley – Little Red Riding Hood – The Daily Mirror – Thursday 17th January 1935
Panto Stars – Fred Walmsley
In Blackpool, during the summer, Fred Walmsley is an institution. For twenty-three years he has appeared on the pier, and in 1914 Sydney Howard was a member of his company. And Fred is just as much a stalwart in pantomime, as Bradford is agreeing. He is playing Baron Badlotte in “Red Riding Hood” at the Alhambra. This is his twenty-third pantomime. He was at the Palace, Manchester, when Fay Compton made her pantomime debut as Dick Whittington, and he also was in the pantomime at which the famous Gabrielle Ray made a triumphant stage come-back in 1917-18.
Not So Hot!
His favourite pantomime story concerns his early days. It was at a dress rehearsal of “Red Riding Hood.” Artificial “snow” was falling on the stage, the scene being the woods in winter. Red Riding Hood entered and complained how bitterly cold it was, and immediately the Principal Boy followed with a scantily dressed chorus, and sang “In Sunny Havana”! None of Fred’s protests could convince the producer that there was anything amiss in this scene!
The Daily Mirror – Thursday 17th January 1935
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 26th October 1920
Gabrielle Ray – Robin Hood – Sunday Illustrated – Sunday 11th December 1921
PANTOMIME JOYS FOR THE CHRISTMASTIDE
PROVINCIAL PLAYS.
In the provinces, the Christmas plays are:- “The Gipsy Princess,” at the Court, Liverpool; “Dick Whittington” with Daisy Wood, Bruce Green and George Bass, at the Newcastle Hippodrome; “Cinderella” at the Theatre Royal, Huddersfield, and the Princes, Bradford; “Sindbad the Sailor,” at the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, and Sheffield. Miss Gabrielle Ray is the star in “Robin Hood” at the King’s Edinburgh; and Will Fyffe is booked for “Robinson Crusoe” at the Glasgow Theatre Royal.
Sunday Illustrated – Sunday 11th December 1921