Bessie Ray – Jack and the Beanstalk – South London Press – Saturday 30th December 1893

ELEPHANT AND CASTLE THEATRE.

 

In the pantomime “Jack and the Beanstalk” there is much that is bright and good, and Mr. McLelland, in addition to writing book, gives vigorous life to his own work playing with genuine fun the widow, Jack’s mother. Miss Lizzie Chase plays the part of Jack in brilliant style, and Miss Nellie Clarke does well in her impersonation of Jill, her dancing being delightful. Mr. Fred Carlos plays the Duke of Ooflcss, and does soma clever business as patent medicine vendor. The Brothers Hadley, pair of “knockabouts,” are good of their sort, and are most comical. Mr. George L. Grange is a skilful practitioner in the giant business. The giant’s baby is Miss Bessie Ray, a pretty little lady, whose song and dance are very successful. In the giant’s kitchen the frolics of the Messrs. Turle, a couple of gymnasts, are entertaining and the children shriek with delight when his huge viands for the giant’s table come in. A number of nicely-trained children take part in the ballets, and the principal dancer Miss Bertha Linden, who “serpentines.” The scenery is very pretty, and the piece will not fail to attract and achieve that success invariably rewards enterprise.

 

The South London Press – Saturday 30^th December 1893

 

Bessie Ray – Bonnie Boy Blue – The Richmond and Twickenham Times – Saturday 2nd March 1895

Bessie Ray – Jack – The Blackpool Gazette & Herald – Friday 7 July 1893

Bessie Ray – Bonnie Boy Blue – The Richmond and Twickenham Times – Saturday 23th February 1895

Bessie Ray – Bonnie Boy Blue – The Richmond and Twickenham Times – Saturday 22nd February 1896

Bessie Ray – Bo-Peep – The Era – Saturday 8th January 1898

STOCKPORT.

NEW THEATRE ROYAL – Proprietor, Mr Charles Revill. – The success which marked the initial performance of our pantomime, Bo-Peep, has been well sustained, each representation being greeted with delight by a crowded audience. The vocalism of Miss May Norton, who appears as the good fairy Bright Thought, is a very pleasing feature. Miss Bessie Ray shows prominently in the Ball-room scene, displaying exceeding cleverness as an acrobatic dancer. The transformation scene, styled The Child’s Christmas Dream of Joy, by Mr W. t. Hemsley, is most exquisite, and meets with deserving appreciation. The usual fun in the harlequinade is provided by Mr Geo. Rapley as clown; Mr Harry Hayes, pantaloon; Mr Edwin Clarke, harlequin; Miss Kate Brooks, columbine; and Mr Alfred Smith, policeman.

The Era – Saturday 8^th January 1898

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

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