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
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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