Gabrielle Ray – Peggy – Forest Hill & Sydenham Examiner – Friday 15th December 1911
“PEGGY” AT THE GAIETY THEATRE
The revised edition of “Peggy” at the Gaiety Theatre goes with a fine swing, and is now one of the best things of its kind in town. Of course the music plays a most important part, and when it is known that Mr. Leslie Stuart is in his happiest vein, success in this direction is assured. Mr. George Grossmith’s part of Auberon Blow is now taken by Mr. Louis Bradfield, who is admirably suited for the part. Mr. Robert Hall repeats his former successes at the Gaiety as Hon. James Bendoyle M.P, and Mr. Edmund Payne, keeps the house laughing the whole time he is on the stage. Of the ladies in the cast Miss Phyllis Dare is very fascinating and vivacious as Peggy Barrison, and sings with marked ability, while the Dorris Bartle of Miss Olive May, leaves nothing to be desired.
A word must not be omitted for Miss Connie Ediss who is very happily cast as Lady Snoop, and wins much applause for her quaint witticism, and Miss Gabrielle Ray, as Polly Polino scores heavily. Space will not permit to deal with the other parts which are all capitally played, and the scenery and setting are of a most elaborate description and well maintain the reputation of this elegant house of entertainment.
Forest Hill & Sydenham Examiner – Friday 15th December 1911
Gabrielle Ray – Peggy – The Langport and Somerton Herald – Saturday 11th March 1911
OUR LONDON LETTER
It will out take long for “Peggy” to become all the rage. Is certain to be as popular as “Miss Gibbs,” and is an altogether more delightful person than “Havannah.” The new Gaiety musical play, indeed, is exactly what everyone expected it would be – quite all right. The story about Peggy doesn’t matter. It is quite a trivial part of the show. The things that really do matter are the songs and the music, the dances and the fun, the girls and their dresses. These are the elements which make for long runs at the Gaiety, and they are all in the new play. Miss Phyllis Dare as “Peggy” is more delightful than ever, Miss Gabrielle Ray runs her very close as a merry music hall artiste, Miss Olive May as the daughter of a supposed millionaire is winning all hearts. Mr. George Grossmith is splendidly ridiculous as ever as her papa, Mr. Edmund Payne as the hairdresser in a swagger hotel keeps you laughing all the time, and – well, there you are. That is “Peggy.” For the rest, there are crowds of beautiful girl, in ravishing costumes, a waltz as deliciously dreamy as anything that ever came from Vienna, and pretty songs and funny ones by the dozen. “Peggy,” in short, is just thong for the Gaiety, and is certain of quite as long a run as her very successful predecessors.
The Langport and Somerton Herald – Saturday 11th March 1911
Gabrielle Ray – Peggy – The Weekly Dispatch (London) – Sunday 26th February 1911
New Gaiety Play.
Next Saturday evening Mr. George Edwardes will reopen the Gaiety Theatre with the new and as yet unnamed musical comedy by George Grossmith jun. and C. H. Bovill, from the French of Leon Xanrof, with music by Leslie Stuart. This play has been eleven works in rehearsal, and has had to undergo many changes before it pleased Mr. Edwardes. He thinks of calling it either “Pretty Peggy” or “Three Girls,” but may take yet another title instead of these before the curtain goes up. I hear from people in the company that Miss Phyllis Dare will make a very greet personal hit, and that Miss Gabrielle Ray will do the same. They both have personality and charm and are very popular. The comedians are the best the Gaiety Theatre has had – Mr Edmund Payne, Mr. Grossmith jnr., and Mr. Robert Hale. The demand for seats for next is enormous, and, as usual, the Gaiety Theatre will have and audience representative and distinguished.
The Weekly Dispatch London – Sunday 26th February 1911
Gabrielle Ray – Stage Mermaids – The Royal Magazine – Vol 26 – 1911
GABRIELLE RAY
in “Peggy”
Miss Gabrielle Ray has a big part and trips daintily through it, adorning it with all those attractive small mannerisms that have made her the idol of a large and enthusiastic public.
She has a secret but sincere affection for sticky toffee, and adores dancing with her whole soul. Practising is a pleasure to her, and at home she will turn on a gramophone and dance to it happily for hours.
Miss Ray’s steps have a thistledown lightness that no one surpasses; and she possesses a quaint, childlike charm all her own. And, in addition, her bathing suit is adorable.
Stage Mermaids – The Royal Magazine – Vol 26 – 1911
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.
Recent Comments
Top Posts & Pages
-
summertime75
Gabrielle Ray 