Bessie Ray – The Belle of New York – The Southampton Observer and Hampshire News – Saturday 26th August 1899
THE NEW GRAND THEATRE.
“THE BELLE OF NEW YORK.”
Fun and frolic, and plenty of it, must have been the motto of the composers of the musical comedy “The Belle of New York,” which was staged for the first time in Southampton at the New Grand Theatre this week, and the Southampton public have shown their high appreciation of this Yankee production by crowding all parts of the house. The comedy was first produced on the boards of the Casino Theatre, New York, where it had a run for a consecutive period of two years. Some eighteen months ago the “Belle” made her first curtsey to an English audience at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London, and the piece fairly captivated a London audience, its lively music, graceful dances, quaint comedy, and choruses, making it a prolonged success. ‘The situations are full of delightful contrasts and surprises, and the audience are kept in a ripple of laughter and sustained interest from rise to the fall of the curtain. The Ben Greet Company, which are producing the play here, are not one whit behind the Casino Company now performing at the Shaftesbury, and the play is put upon the boards with all the accessories that have tended to make it a great success. First there is Miss Empsie Bowman as Violet Gray, a Salvation lassie, a role calling for tact and ability, and Miss Bowman appeared at ease in all difficult situations of her part As Fifi Fricot, Miss Eva Grande shines, and her singing of “Oh, La Belle Parisienne” was, perhaps, her best achievement, and in the duet, “When we are married,” with Mr Charles Gervase she was also very good. Miss Millicent Marsden, as the Queen of Comic Opera, made the most of her part, and for her song “Dinab, de moon am shining,” with chorus, was loudly applauded. Mr Arthur Ricketts, as Ichabod Bronson, proves to be a versatile actor, and makes the most of is part, whilst his “wayward son,” Mr Charles Gervase – shows marked talent in his combination ef pathos with humour. The other members of the company who makes fun and amusement are Mr Fred L Price – who in addition to singing “The Belle of New York,” gives s rather clever whistling solo- the Portuguese twins (Messrs Tom Graves and Maurice Carleton), Mr Ben F Rosenthal (as the polite lunatic), Mr James Le Fane, and the ladies who assisted in no small measure to the enjoyment of the evening were Misses Young, Bessie Ray, Nellie Bayard, B Houlditch, Mabel Murrat, H Leslie, G Leslie, May Turton, Honor Lewisby, Ada Booth, Emmie Cobb, Carol Mansell, Rosina Vokes, etc. There was a strong chorus, and Gustave Keller’s music was rendered in an admirable manner. The company bring their tour to a close to-day (Saturday), when there will be a matinee at two o’clock and the usual evening performance at half-past seven, and all who intend to see this musical comedy should certainly present themselves early if they wish to secure seats.
The Southampton Observer and Hampshire News – Saturday 26th August 1899
Bessie Ray – The Dundee Courier – Saturday 10th January 1920
This is an excerpt from an article “My Thirty Years in the Front of the Theatre.
“The Golden Era” at Her Majesty’s
Third Article – 1897 – 1904
(By James Buchan “Courier” Dramatic Critic)
First “Students’ Night.””
The Christmas season 1890-1891 was enlivened by the first authoritative “Students’ Night” at Her Majesty’s. The pantomime was “Aladdin,” and the students – male and female – helped the show along very heartily, and made some of us wish we were young again. Early in 1891 we had “The Belle of New York,” with Miss Bessie Ray as Kitty and Mamie. If we mistake not this young lady became more famous with different front name, but anyhow, she danced deliciously.
The Dundee Courier – Saturday 10th January 1920
Empsie Bowman – The Belle of New York – The Saturday Telegraph (Grimsby) – Saturday 12th August 1916
PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE
Miss EMPSIE BOWMAN, who will appear as the “Belle.”
“The Belle of New York” which was revived last year the Lyceum and Aldwych Theatres, London, with so much success, will be the attraction the Prince of Wales’ Theatre next week. This favourite musical comedy will be by Mr J Howard’s principal company. Its popularity is largely due to its constant succession of lively numbers, its graceful dances, quaint comedy, and capital choruses.
The variety and snap of “The Belle of New York” has aptly been described in the following terms. “First comes an overture – bang and rattle, more like devil-ostracising symphony from Chinatown at midnight anything else. All at once there is a switch off to flowing melody that lingers so lovingly amongst the reeds and nestles so softly upon the strings. First a twirl of skirts and frills waving and dashing about the stage, and then settling down suddenly to a solid andante as steadily as a choral march.
The company has been carefully chosen and includes the well known comedian, Victor Rowland, as Blinkie Bill; Mr. Leslie Austin as Ichabod Bronson; Mr. Peter H. Gardener as Carl von Pumpernick, the polite lunatic; Miss Empsie Bowman takes the part of Violet Grey. These talented artists will be supported by a full company and powerful chorus under the direction of Mr. B. J. Paterson.
The Saturday Telegraph (Grimsby) – Saturday 12th August 1916
Empsie Bowman – The Belle of New York – The Cheltenham Looker-On – Saturday 16th March 1912
The Race Week engagement at the Theatre is The Belle of New York, about which there is really nothing fresh to be said. It is smartly presented by Mr. Bannister Howard’s Company, with the clever Miss Empsie Bowman as the “Belle.” Two performances will be given to-day.
The Cheltenham Looker-On – Saturday 16th March 1912
Bessie Ray – The Belle of New York – The Luton Times and Advertiser – Friday 12th October 1900
THE GRAND THEATRE.
Neither time nor general elections apparently have any power over the “Belle of New York,” the great and continued success of which bears eloquent testimony, not merely to the delightful music of Gustave Kerker, or to the humour of Hugh Morton, but to the strong dash Bohemianism inherent human nature; for whatever else this famous musical comedy may be, it is essentially Bohemian in spirit, and – so it is held many-packed houses demonstrate the hold “The Belle” has upon the theatregoing music-loving public, and amply justify this specially arranged return visit. As regards the company, it is a “Ben Greet No.1”; which being interpreted means that it is about as good as anything you can get in the provinces.
The dozen leading characters are excellently played by eleven really capable artistes, the parts of “Kissie Fitzgarter” and “Maimie Clancy” being doubled by Miss Bessie Ray, alias Miss B. Esse; whose clever performance, and lissom, graceful action are alike noticeable, equally noticeable, in quite another sense, is the shocking dress worn Miss Elaine Gryce as “Cora Angelique” in the opening scene. One is inclined to use the term historic in connection with the said garment, its condition suggesting its appearance at the previous nine marriage ceremonies of the fair Cora. Miss Gryce’s personal charms are obvious, but it is scarcely fair to handicap her so seriously by a costume as obtrusively passé. Of course, the sun has spots; but then they are not removable as this “spot” – not to say blot – is; and to the managers may be commended the time-worn – and thus peculiarly appropriate – tag, “Bis dat qui cito dat.”
The Luton Times and Advertiser – Friday 12th October 1900
Miss Empsie Bowman- The Belle of New York – The Sketch – Wednesday 11th October 1899
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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