Bessie Ray – Bonnie Boy Blue – The Era – Saturday 9th March 1895
“Little Bessie Ray” was described as a really talented child, who repeated again and again her taking dances and songs.
The Era – Saturday 9th March 1895
Bessie Ray – Jack and the Beanstalk – South London Press – Saturday 30th December 1893
Bessie Ray appeared at the Elephant and Castle Theatre in the pantomime “Jack and the Beanstalk” as the giant’s baby, The South London Press wrote,
“The giant’s baby is Miss Bessie Ray, a pretty little lady, whose song and dance are very successful.”
South London Press – Saturday 30th December 1893
Gladys Raymond – The Era – 27th January 1906
Theatrical Gossip.
A slight accident happened at the Theatre Royal, Hull, on Monday night to Miss Gladys Raymond, who was playing in Mr. J. Bannister Howard’s pantomime Aladdin. Upon making her entrance at the end of the trap scene, she fell through the vamp trap, which was about to be secured. She escaped with one or two bruises and a severe shock, but was able to resume her part.
The Era – 27th January 1906
Babes in the Wood – The Bystander – Wednesday 24th December 1919
Miss Gabrielle Ray
To be principal girl in “Cinderella” at the Prince’s Theatre, Bradford
The Bystander – Wednesday 24th December 1919
(The heading must have been an error as the pantomome to which The Bystander refered at the Prince’s Theatre, Bradford was “Babes in the Wood”
Babes in the Wood – The Stage – Thursday 23rd October 1919
Gabrielle Ray
Gabrielle Ray, the well-known musical comedy actress, has been engaged to play principle girl in pantomime at Bradford. Arthur Klein is composing special songs for her.
The Stage – Thursday 23rd October 1919
Babes in the Wood – The Stage – Thursday 30th October 1919
Miss Gabrielle Ray
Miss Gabrielle Ray has decided to return to the stage, and will do so as principle girl in pantomime under Mr. Francis Laidler’s management at the Prince’s, Bradford. The internal alterations which are in progress at the Prince’s, Bradford, will be completed before the pantomime season. The subject is “The Babes in the Wood,” and Miss Gabrielle Ray’s part is that of Maid Marion.
The Stage – Thursday 30th October 1919
Babes in the Wood – Leeds Mercury – Saturday 13th December 1919
Gabrielle Ray
Miss Gabrielle Ray, the fascinating actress, will step down from the picture postcards into Bradford pantomime.
She will be the principle girl in “The Babes in the Wood” at the Prince’s Theatre.
Leeds Mercury – Saturday 13th December 1919
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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