Kitty Gordon – The Girl from Kay’s – The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News – Saturday 6th December 1902
Miss Kitty Gordon, who is playing Nancy Lowly, an assistant at Kay’s, in “The Girl from Kay’s” at the Apollo Theatre.
Letty Lind – The Girl from Kay’s – The Tatler – Wednesday 12st August 1903
Gabrielle Ray – The Girl from Kay’s – The Alfreton Journal – Friday 25th February 1916
Chatting about her career, Miss Gabrielle Ray, the well-known actress, said that her first chance came when she had been understudying Miss Letty Lind in “The Girl from Kay’s,” and Miss Lind, having to take a holiday, Mr. Edwardes said Miss Ray could have her dance, and he would come to the Apollo Theatre to see what she made of it. He sat in the back row of the dress circle and watched her come on. She was a complete contrast to Miss Lind, but she walked on with a show of confidence, and in three minutes received a storm of applause, in which her manager joined.
The Alfreton Journal – Friday 25th February 1916
Gabrielle Ray – The Girl from Kay’s – The Morning Leader – Thursday 10th September 1903
APOLLO THEATRE.
“THE GIRL FROM KAY’S”
Whatever may be urged against the morals and methods of the pretty little milliner who lives at “The Apollo,” no one can deny that she and her merry party are most excellent laughter-makers.
Last night “The Girl from Kay’s” was performed for the 300th time, and the merry mélange went delightfully as ever. Mr. Willie Edouin has developed the part of the wealthy “Piggy” Hoggenheimer until it is now the richest of low comedy, an indescribably funny caricature of our typical “nouveau riche.” In its own way, too, Mr. Aubrey Fitzgerald’s performance is strikingly clever, and his song to his own image in the looking-glass is one of the happiest efforts in the piece.
Brightened by new songs, enriched by Mr. Edoain’s latest “riddles,” his new dance in imitation of that danced by Miss Gabrielle Ray – a particularly attractive addition to the company – “The Girl from Kay’s” was welcomed by a big audience last night with shouts of laughter and loud applause.
The Morning Leader – Thursday 10th September 1903
Gabrielle Ray – The Girls from Kay’s – Truth – Thursday 17th September 1903
I was present the other night at the 300th performance of “The Girl from Kay’s,” and found it extremely amusing. Mr. Willie Edouin’s Hoggenheimer, the Park lane millionaire, is an admirable piece of fooling, and I do not think sufficient justice has been done to Mr. Aubrey Fitzgerald, who, in the part of the millionaire’s satellite, shows himself a most finished comedian. If you want good comedy acting you must, as I said the other day, look for it in musical comedy. There is no field for incompetence in these plays, where any single member of the company must be capable of holding the stage and amusing the audience unaided and alone. It is always pleasant to have a good word to say for a beginner, and if Miss Gabrielle Ray is a beginner, as I think she is, she should go ahead. She has great charm and vivacity, and with a delightfully unconscious brutality she inspires comparisons with our idols of twenty years ago, to whom we are still so amazingly constant, although all that we originally admired them for is no longer there.
Truth – Thursday 17th September 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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