Gabrielle Ray – The Newcastle Evening Chronicle – Tuesday 5th April 1921
Gabrielle Ray – The Newcastle Evening Chronicle – Saturday 16th April 1921
Gabrielle Ray – The Palladium – The Stage – Thursday 22nd September 1921
THE VARIETY STAGE
LONDON HALLS.
THE PALLADIUM.
Little Tich, as full of vim and apt by-play as ever, returns to the Palladium this week. On Monday afternoon he was so popular as the bold, romancing cricketer and the Society debutante who gets mixed up in “her” train, that Maidie Scott, who followed him, was considerably delayed. Miss Scott is still singing “Eve’s Progress” to general acceptance. Lee White and Clay Smith are great favourites here for a series of songs, duets, and patter, mostly from the recent Vaudeville revue “Puss! Puss!” Each item is delivered with all the neatness and point one expects form these finished artists, Miss White adding just that hint of quiet sentiment here and there that is always so charming a feature of her work. It was at the Palladium, by the way, that Miss White, with her former partner, played her first London engagement, on which occasion we predicted a great future for her in revue. That prediction, of course, has been fully realised. George Bass is very droll, first as a seeker for information about the income- tax, and afterwards as a musical conductor; while the Arnaut Brothers repeat their fine musical clown act. Other newcomers are Mimi, a very versatile young lady; Jay Laurier, with his funny song about cats, and “Let’s All Have a Jolly Good Cry” and Dippy Diers, assisted by Flo Bennett, in an amusing turn. Gabrielle Ray, assisted by Leslie Barker, and Madeleine Collins, remain over from last week. Mr. Horace Sheldon’s special orchestral selection is Horatio Nicholls’s “Blue Bird.” Mr. C. Foster-Marner is the manager. There were packed audiences on Monday.
The Stage – Thursday 22nd September 1921
Gabrielle Ray – The Palladium – West Ham and South Essex Mail – Friday 27th May 1921
AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM
At the Palladium on Monday, Mr. Charles Gulliver, in spite of the slump in West Endt Theatreland, is presenting one of his all star programmes. Among the principal newcomers is Derra de Moroda, the beautiful dancer, the complete Company including:- Derra de Moroda, Gabrielle Ray, Bros. Arnaut, Maidie Scott, George Bass, Manny and Roberts, Sam Barton, Five Joveras, and Frank and Somers.
The West Ham and South Essex Mail – Friday 27th May 1921
Gabrielle Ray – Robin Hood – Sunday Illustrated – Sunday 11th December 1921
PANTOMIME JOYS FOR THE CHRISTMASTIDE
PROVINCIAL PLAYS.
In the provinces, the Christmas plays are:- “The Gipsy Princess,” at the Court, Liverpool; “Dick Whittington” with Daisy Wood, Bruce Green and George Bass, at the Newcastle Hippodrome; “Cinderella” at the Theatre Royal, Huddersfield, and the Princes, Bradford; “Sindbad the Sailor,” at the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, and Sheffield. Miss Gabrielle Ray is the star in “Robin Hood” at the King’s Edinburgh; and Will Fyffe is booked for “Robinson Crusoe” at the Glasgow Theatre Royal.
Sunday Illustrated – Sunday 11th December 1921
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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