Gabrielle Ray – The Lady Dandies – Bristol Times and Mirror – 1907
STAGE NOTES.
In addition to Miss Alice O’Brien, who has taken up the title role in “The Dollar Princess,” at Daly’s, to allow Miss Lily Elsie to enjoy a holiday, other changes should be noted. Miss Mabel Russell has succeeded Miss Gabrielle Ray, who has gone to America, and Miss Elizabeth Firth has replaced Miss Emmy Wehlen. Bristolians will be delighted to hear that Miss Russell has therefore quite recovered from her attack of typhoid fever.
Bristol Times and Mirror – Saturday 13th August 1907
If Miss Gabrielle Ray visits Bristol with Miss Evie Greene, in “The Lady Dandies,” it will not, as many suppose, be her first appearance at the Prince’s Theatre. Some years ago she was here in the “Casino Girl,” but it was only a small part. Miss Isa Bowman appeared in the title role. Always a clever dancer, Miss Ray has risen rapidly since then, and, favoured with a pretty face, has come to stay.
The Bristol Times and Mirror – Saturday 24th August 1907
Miss Gabrielle Ray will not, I believe, appear in “The Lady Dandies” here. I have heard that she does not like touring; at any rate, she has not joined Mr. George Edwardes company yet in the provinces. The fact, however that Evie Greene, Mr. Eric Thorne, Mr. T. Grove, and Miss Mabel Russell, who is booked for the Prime’s Theatre at Christmas, are in the cast, and takes in a graceful and chic manner the part of Egle, will undoubtedly fill the houses.
Bristol Times and Mirror – Saturday 14th September 1907
Gabrielle Ray – The Lady Dandies – The Weekly Journal (Hartlepool) – Friday 19th April 1907
Stage & the Drama
It is interesting to learn that Mr George Graves, who has returned from America, is to find a in the cast of “The Gay Widow” when that piece succeeds “The Lady Dandies” at Daly’s Theatre. Mr Graves, who had his first chance in London in “The School Girl” four or five years ago, has since won for himself a considerable popularity, first by his humorous reading of the part of Coquenard in “Veronique,” and later as a most diverting General Des Ifs in “The Little Michus.” Plans are being made for sending “The Lady Dandies” on tour, with many of the original company, including Miss Evie Greene, Miss Demise Orme, and Miss Gabrielle Ray. The piece, however, is still proving attractive at Daly’s Theatre.
The Weekly Journal (Hartlepool) – Friday 19th April 1907
The Lady Dandies (Rotary 4403 I)
The sender Cyril writes mentioning how expensive it is to collect autographed postcards, which hasn’t changed much over the years.
Miss Dare tells of using the payments for autographs to benefit various charities
PERSONAL GOSSIP
Phyllis Dare for Variety Stage.
It is announced that Phyllis Dare may shortly appear on the music halls.
At the time when the picture postcard craze was at its zenith Miss Phyllis Dare’s features were probably the most popular. 20,000 postcards annually sent for signature! Surely this is bit of a record. Yet it was the experience of Miss Phyllis Dare whose success in various musical comedies launched by Mr. George Edwardes has been phenomenal. Miss Dare usually charged a small fee for signing her name to her postcards, and in one year she was in this way able to distribute sum of £388 to various charities.
(Equivalent to £45,065.15 today – CPI Inflation Calculator)
The Dundee Evening Telegraph – Wednesday 13th May 1914
Gabrielle Ray – Les Merveilleuses – The Globe – Monday 15th April 1907
DALY’S THEATRE.
Mr. George Edwardes is not the man to rest on his oars, or to be satisfied with any piece he produces if he thinks that, it can by any possibility be improved. On Saturday night he made some additions to that charming opera, “The Lady Dandies,” otherwise “Les Merveilleuses,” which give fresh opportunities to Miss Denise Orme and Miss Gabrielle Ray. For the first-named he has introduced a new song “The Little Bird of Blue,” to which she plays her own accompaniment on the harp. Miss Orme is a thoroughly accomplished musician. That she is a fine vocalist we have long been aware; in “The Little Michus” she showed us that she can play the violin like an expert, and now she proves her mastery over that graceful instrument, the harp. The new song, in which she was supported by a beautifully dressed chorus, was most heartily received. Miss Gabrielle Ray, who is rapidly winning her way to the front, has also been given a new song, which she shares with Mr. W. H. Berry, called “Etiquette,” and a new dance to follow it. Miss Ray sings with point, and her dancing is worthy of the very best traditions of Daly’s theatre, for it is absolutely effortless, and the embodiment of grace. Miss Evie Green’s fine person and splendid voice, Mr. Huntley Wright’s humour and energy, Mr. Evett’s beautiful singing, Mr. Louis Bradfield’s clever study of Lagorille, and the comicalities of Messrs. W. H. Berry and Fred Kaye, not to speak of the beauty and magnificent dresses of the chorus, all contribute to a delightful entertainment.
The Globe – Monday 15th April 1907
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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