Gabrielle Ray – Betty – Bradford Daily Telegraph – Saturday 25th September 1915
MISS GABRIELLE RAY.
Miss Gabrielle Ray is to return to the stage, and will make her appearance at Daly’s Theatre in about a fortnight as Estelle, the pretty milliner in “Betty.”
She retired from Mr. George Edwardes’s management and the stage at the end of 1911. Yesterday she finally made up her mind that she would like to return to the theatre.
“Going back to Daly’s Theatre,” she said, “is almost like returning home after a long absence. The risk that I may be forgotten makes me nervous, but I have not forgotten the theatre, and I have not forgotten how to dance.” She certainly never looked better and prettier than she did yesterday, and she danced round the room in her characteristic light-footed way as she used to do in “The Merry Widow” and “The Dollar Princess.”
The Bradford Daily Telegraph – Saturday 25th September 1915
Gabrielle Ray – Betty – The Queen – Saturday 12th February 1916
BEFORE THE FOOTLIGHTS,
WHAT IS ON.
Daly’s Theatre. – In “Betty” (a George Edwardes production) we have a musical comedy play with a really charming plot running through its three acts. The story tells of the young lord (Mr Donald Calthrop) who marries a little servant girl (Miss Winifred Barnes), of their separation after the wedding breakfast, and their final reunion. The fun is supplied by Mr G. P. Huntley and Mr L. de Frece, while the excellent acting of Mr C. M. Lowne and the fascinations of Miss Gabrielle Ray must not be overlooked. On Monday evening the Russian dancers, Les Stepanoff, from the Opera Houses, Moscow and Petrograd, made their first appearance with considerable success.
The Queen – Saturday 12th February 1916
Gabrielle Ray – Betty – The Queen – Saturday 6th November 1915
THE QUEEN, THE LADY’S NEWSPAPER.
“Betty” recast at Daly’s Theatre.
The first appearance of Miss Gabrielle Ray, who made on Friday evening last week a very welcome return to the stage in the character of Estelle, caused the stalls at Daly’s to have quite the look of an important first night.
“Betty” is undoubtedly in for a new lease of life; she is so natural and charming that one cannot be surprised. Luckily, Miss Winifred Barnes is still in the cast as the kitchen maid bride of the Earl of Beverley, and Mr Donald Calthrop still plays the wilful Earl with increasing success.
Miss Gabrielle Ray returns to the stage with added assurance, but with the same wonderful elusive charm. She does not make one forget Miss Mabel Sealby in the part of Jotte’s head model, but she gives a delightful performance. She was very successful in her song “Harlequin” – “I want to have a little girl to play with” – and of course wore some original frocks.
Mr Lauri de Frece, who now takes Mr Barry’s part of Achille Jotte, gives a quite new rendering of the comic little man-milliner, and is always funny but never vulgar. Miss Ivy Shilling is another addition to the cast as Chicquette, while as Lord Playne Mr Tom Walls is very successful in a part created by Mr G. P Huntley, and Master Roy Royston is a perfect little public schoolboy as Lord Playne’s nephew David,
The Queen – Saturday 6th November 1915
Gabrielle Ray – Betty – London Evening Standard – Saturday 30th October 1915
MISS GABRIELLE RAY.
REAPPEARANCE IN “BETTY” AT
DALY’S THEATRE.
That very charming musical comedy “Betty,” at Daly’s Theatre, was farther enlivened and brightened last night by the presence of Miss Gabrielle Ray, this being her return to the stage after an absence of several years. How much musical comedy has lost in that interval was shown by the reception given to her, and by her bright and happy work in the part of Estelle.
Another notable newcomer to the cast is Mr. Lauri de Frece, who takes up Mr. Berry’s mantel in the part of Jotte, maker of modes. Mr. de Frece’s methods are quite different, but he is none the lees an excellent comedian, and a decided success. Both the newcomers bring some very good songs with them, and Miss Winifred Barnes is also provided with a new number, “Goodbye.” With all the new things put into it “Betty” seems likely to continue its success indefinitely.
The London Evening Standard – Saturday 30th October 1915
Gabrielle Ray – The Tatler – Wednesday 6th October 1915
THE RETURN OF ANOTHER POPULAR FAVOURITE
With Gabrielle Ray to Daly’s and Lily Elsie to His Majesty’s
The Tatler – Wednesday 6th October 1915
Gabrielle Ray – Betty – The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News – Saturday 12th February 1916
In the absence of Miss Gabrielle Ray from the cast of Betty at Daly’s the other night, the part of Estelle was taken by Miss Marjorie Hume.
The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News – Saturday 12th February 1916
Gabrielle Ray – Betty – The London Daily News – Saturday 30th October 1915
MISS GABRIELLE RAY.
Those who have not yet seen “Betty,” or intend to see it again, may rest assured that the alterations in the east, made by the musical play to be produced the Adelphi Theatre, have not detracted from the sprightliness and humour of the piece.
Mr. Lauri de Frece, whose methods are in direct contrast with Mr. W H. Berry’s, is a most entertaining Achille Jotte. That Court dressmaker’s head model is now played by Miss Gabrielle Ray, who dances as gracefully as ever. The audience at Daly’s Theatre last night gave her a great welcome on her return to the stage. There are some other alterations in the cast, the most noticeable being Mr. Tom Wallis in Mr. G. P. Huntley’s old part.
It is very easy to imitate Mr. Huntley but difficult to follow him; but Mr. Wallis was successful. Several additions to piece have been made to its advantage. Miss Winifred Barnes is still the Betty, and is more charming than ever. An animated Greuze, she sings as prettily as she dances.
The London Daily News – Saturday 30th October 1915
Gabrielle Ray – Betty – Reynolds’s Newspaper – Sunday 24th October 1915
Miss Gabrielle Ray makes her first appearance in “Betty” at Daly’s one day this week, when she will take up the part of Estelle; Ivy Shilling and Mr. Lauri De Frece will also join the cast in the roles of Chicquette and Jotte respectively. Among the new numbers introduced will be a song for Miss Ray, “Harlequin”; one for Miss Winifred Barnes, “Goodbye”; and a duet for Miss Ray and Mr. De Frece, “Don’t Be Silly.”
Reynolds’s Newspaper – Sunday 24th October 1915
Gabrielle Ray – Betty – Reynolds’s Newspaper – Sunday 31st October 1915
DALY’S
That charming modern version of Cinderella, known “Betty,” entered on a new edition here Friday night, when, in addition to some very taking new numbers, Miss Gabrielle Ray took up the part of Estelle, with new songs and dances. It goes without saying that she was rapturously welcomed after her long absence from the stage, and she very soon proved that she is lithe, graceful, and attractive as though she had never quitted it. Mr. Lauri De Frece is now the Jotte, and plays so as to get plenty of laughter without ever overdoing it, and Mr. Tom Walls, replacing Mr. G. P. Huntley, made a well-merited hit. Miss Winifred Barnes is captivating as ever in the name part, and her new song, “Good-bye,” is very pretty and very prettily sung. The excellent work of that accomplished actor. Mr. C. M. Lowne, of Mr. Donald Calthrop, and the rest of the cast, makes “Betty” as bright and artistic an entertainment as can wish for.
Reynolds’s Newspaper – Sunday 31st October 1915
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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