Play Summary
Plays
I have reproduced a list of the plays that Miss Ray performed in and where possible I have added links to each production in which she appeared.
- Date: 16th October – 27th October 1893
Production: “The Green Bushes, Maimi ”
Theatre: The Princess Theatre, Oxford Street, London.
Comments: This was Miss Ray’s debut performance as Eveleen, a comic operetta (Maimi) by John Hollingshead from the original Adelphi play “The Green Bushes” by John Baldwin Buckstone.
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- Date: 1893 – 1984
Production: Jack and the Beanstalk
Theatre: Elephant and Castle Theatre, New Kent Road, London.
Comments:
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Date: 1894
Production: “Proof, A Celebrated Case”
Theatre: Elephant and Castle Theatre, New Kent Road, London.
Comments: Written by Sir Francis Cowley Burnand. Appeared as “Adrienne” (the child)
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Date: 1893 – 1899
Production: Little Red Riding Hood
Theatre: Richmond Theatre
Comments: Played a “Cupid” in this production.
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Date: 1894
Production: Ballet at Blackpool Carnival Electrique
Theatre: The Winter Gardens, Blackpool.
Comments: During her eraly years Miss Ray performed under the name of Bessie Ray appearing in Paul Valentine’s “Ballets at Blackpool” as the “Rose Queen” The second ballet “Carnival Electrique” sees Bessie Ray as a clown.
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Date: 1895
Production: The Silver King
Theatre: Theatre Royal, Richmond.
Comments: Played the part of “Cissie”
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Date: 1895 – 1896
Production: Sir Richard Whittington and His Cat
Theatre: Royal, Richmond, London,
Theatre Royal, Nottingham
Comments: Played the part of Sally Slut. Appeared under the stage name of “Bessie Ray”
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Date: 1897
Theatre: Grand Theatre, Douglas, Isle of Man
Production: Little Red Riding Hood
Comments: Played the part of “Little Red Riding Hood” under the stage name of “Bessie Ray”
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Date: January 1898
Theatre: New Theatre Royal, Stockport
Production: Bo-Peep
Comments: Performed as a dancer.
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- Date: February 1897 / 22nd February 1897 / December 1898
Theatre: Burton-On-Trent / Lemington Spa / Dalston
Production: Aladdin
Comments: Played the part of Petti-Sing
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Date: 1899
Production: Sinbad the Sailor
Theatre: Lyric Opera House, Hammersmith, London.
Comments: Played “Breath of the Morning” in a John East / Brian Daly pantomime.
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- Date: 1889 – 1901
Production: The Belle of New York
Theatre: Touring
Comments: Played the part of Mamie Clancy. Appeared under the stage name of “Bessie Ray”
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Date: 1900 – 1903
Production: The Casino Girl
Theatre: Touring
Comments: A musical farce written by Harry B. Smith and Ludwig Englander. Played the part of Dolly Twinkle.
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Date: June 1901
Production: The Toreador
Theatre: The Gaiety Theatre
Comments: Understudied Gertie Millar who played the part of “Cora”. Co written by John Monckton and Ivan Caryll.
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Date: 24th December 1902 – 31st January 1903
Production: Little Red Riding Hood
Theatre: Lyric Opera House, Hammersmith.
Comments: Played the part of Little Red Riding Hood. A pantomime co written by John East and Brian Daly.
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Date: 26th October 1903 – 24th May 1905 (ran for 559 performances)
Production: The Orchid
Theatre: Gaiety Theatre, London
Comments: Played the part of “Thisbe.” Lyrics by Adrian Ross and Percy Greenbank.
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Date: 15th November 1902
Production: The Girl from Kays
Theatre: Apollo Theatre moving to the Comedy Theatre 14th December 1903 closing on 23rd January 1904
Comments: Took over from Letty Lind towards the end of its run playing the part of Ellen, she also played the part of Nancy Lowley.
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Date: 17th December 1904 to 25th November 1905
Production: Lady Madcap
Theatre: Prince of Wales Theatre
Comments: Played the part of “Susan” Lady’s Maid to “Lady Betty.” During the performance Miss Ray performed the popular Parisian dance “La Maxiam” with Dorothy Craske. The show ran for 354 performances. (Miss Ray joined the cast on Saturday 1st April 1905 – Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper – Sunday 2nd April 1905)
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Date: 1906
Production: The Little Cherub Revised as A Girl on the Stage
Theatre: Prince of Wales Theatre
Comments: Played the part of “Lady Dorothy Congress.”
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- Date: 12th June 1906
Production: Trial by Jury
Theatre: Drury Lane
Comments: Played the part of a Bridesmaid in the production of “Trial by Jury” which was part of the Jubilee celebrations for Miss Ellen Terry
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Date: 1906
Production: See See
Theatre: Prince of Wales Theatre.
Comments: Played the role of “So-Hie” “See See’s” Boy attendant.
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Date: 30th January 1907 – 18th May 1908
Production: The Merveilleuses / The Lady Dandies
Theatre: Daly’s Theatre
Comments: Played the part of “Egle.”
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Date: 8th June 1907 – 31st July 1909
Production: The Merry Widow
Theatre: Daly’s Theatre.
Comments: Played the role of “Frou Frou.”
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Date: 25th September 1909
Production: The Dollar Princess
Theatre: Daly’s Theatre.
Comments: Played the role of “Daisy.”
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Date: 4th March 1911
Production: Peggy
Theatre: Gaiety Theatre
Comments: Played the role of “Polly Polino.”
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After appearing in the production of “Peggy” Miss Ray left the theatre to marry Eric Loder. This proved to be unsuccessful and following their divorce she returned to the stage in 1915
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Date: 24th December 1915 (Miss Ray joined the production on Thursday 29th October 1915)
Production: Betty
Theatre: Prince’s Theatre, Manchester, (24th December 1914 – 30th January 1915)
Daly’s Theatre, (24th April 1915 – 8th April 1916)
Comments: A musical comedy in which she played “Estelle.”
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Date: 16th September 1916
Production: Flying Colours
Theatre: London Hippodrome, running for 203 performances.
Comments:
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Date: 24th December 1919 – March 1920
Production: Babes in the Wood
Theatre: Prince’s Theatre, Bradford
Comments: Pantomime. Played “Maid Marian.”
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- Date: 20th March 1920
Production: Tour
Theatre: Alhambra, Bradford
Comments: Appeared with Leslie Barker.
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Date: 22nd March 1920
Production: Tour
Theatre: The Palladium
Comments: Appeared with Leslie Barker.
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Date: 1st May 1920
Production: Tour
Theatre: Palace Theatre, Manchester
Comments: Appeared with Billy Merson.
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- Date: 7th June 1920
Production: Tour
Theatre: Boscombe Hippodrome, Bournemouth
Comments: Appeared with Leslie Barker
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- Date: 14th June – 19th June 1920
Production: Tour
Theatre: The Palace Theatre, Plymouth
Comments: Appeared with Leslie Barker
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Date: 26th July 1920
Production: Tour
Theatre: Empire Theatre, Preston.
Comments: Appeared with Leslie Barker.
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Date: 8th August 1920
Production: Tour
Theatre: King’s Theatre, Edinburgh.
Comments: Appeared with Leslie Barker.
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Date: 23rd December 1920 – 5th March 1921
Production: Mother Goose
Theatre: Theatre Royal, Manchester.
Comments: Pantomime, played the part of “Rosie” (principal girl) with Dan Leno Junior as “Mother Goose”.
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Date: 20th April 1921
Production: Tour
Theatre: Palace Theatre, Manchester
Comments: Appeared with Leslie Barker.
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Date: 6th June 1921
Production: Tour
Theatre: Hippodrome Theatre, Leeds
Comments: Appeared with Leslie Barker.
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Date: 22nd December 1921 – 4th February 1922
Production: Robin Hood or Babes in the Wood
Theatre: Kings Theatre, Edinburgh.
Comments: Played “Maid Marian” (principal girl)
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Date: 9th November 1924
Production: In memory of Merlin Morgan
Theatre: The London Palladium
Comments: A charity performance
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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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