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 20th October 1919
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 24th 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 3rd October 1903
Gladys Ray – Aladdin – The Beckenham Journal – Saturday 20th October 1906
CRYSTAL PALACE PANTOMIME.
It is welcome news to learn that Mr. Bannister Howard intends to revive old fashioned pantomine at the crystal Palace Theatre. That style of entertainment which has been called pantomime during the past few years has become rather boring and has not been particularly amusing, either to grown-up people or children. Any effort. therefore, to return to the s rollicking performances of bygone days deserves to be supported and no doubt Mr. Howard’s enterprise will be crowned with success.
The subject of the pantomime is the old favorite story of Aladdin and in the hands of so experienced a pantomine writer as Mr. Fred. Bowyer great things may be expected. No expense is to be spared and an excellent company has been secured. Miss Lillie Lassah will impersonate Aladdin, Miss Lillie Gallick – the Princess, Mr. Arthur Pool – Abanazar, Mr. A. E. Passmore – Widow Twankey, the Ongar Brothers – Policemen and speciality turn. Miss Nellie Barnwell – Second Boy, Miss Gladys Ray, a sister of Miss Gabrielle Ray, who was originally brought out by Mr. Howard – Second Girl. Miss Josephine Sullivan – a fairy, and Mr. J. D. Cawdery – demon and clown, who will also work the traps. He was at one time with Conquest and is one of the oldest left who works the traps.
The Harlequinade and Shadow pantomine will be a strong feature of the entertainment. The pantomine will be produced by Mr. C. Lake and Mr. Joseph Sainton will compose and arrange the music. Mr. W. E. Sharpe will still continue to actively manage the front of the theatre.
The Beckenham Journal – Saturday 20th October 1906
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
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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