The Merry Widow Souvenir – The Tatler – Wednesday 24th June 1908
A Souvenir de Luxe.
Although perhaps “The Merry Widow Souvenir” (William Heinemann) belongs as a rule more to the order of things theatrical than literary, yet in this particular case I can hardly suffer it to pass by unnoticed. The whole volume is of such a complete character that it marks altogether a new departure in souvenirs and leads one to hope that this particular example will set a standard for similar productions, doing away for ever with the sparsely – illustrated and meagre booklets sometimes masquerading under the name welcome to theatregoers. Throughout the pages of “The Merry Widow Souvenir” appear reproductions in colour from drawings of scenes and faces familiar to the playgoer with the welcome addition of the lilting lines that go to make up the “book” of the play.
The Tatler – Wednesday 24th June 1908
The Merry Widow – The Sketch – Wednesday 16th December 1908
THE CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY SENSATION AN UNDERGRADUATE AS “A LADY RELATIVE.”
THE CAMBRIDGE UNDERGRADUATE IN THE COSTUME AND “MAKE UP” IN WHICH HE OCCUPIED A BOX AT A “MERRY WIDOW” PERFORMANCE.
At a performance of “The Merry Widow” at Cambridge, much attention was attracted to a box in which sat a lady and three undergraduates. It has since been discovered that the lady in question was an undergraduate, who is here shown in the dress and “make-up” in which he attended the theatre. By means of this ruse, the undergraduates were in a position to break the rule which decrees that no undergraduate may be seen in a box unless he is accompanied by a lady relative.
The Sketch – Wednesday 16th December 1908
Gabrielle Ray – The – Merry Widow – The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News – Saturday 18th July 1908
“THE MERRY WIDOW” SOUVENIR.
The anniversary performance in London of Lehar’s successful opera was associated at Daly’s Theatre with the issue by Mr. George Edwards of an elaborate souvenir. The artistic brush of Mr. Talbot Hughes will be appreciated in a host of delicately coloured pictures – portraits and incidents – and so also will be the fluent pen of Mr. Adrian Ross in the story of the play, which is told very fully in irregular verse. Mr. Ross is a rhymster of such great facility that he is not in the present instance sometimes as concise as might be. However, he gives humorously and with point a capital idea of the plot, and sustains the interest through quite a number of elegantly printed pages. By the way, we are a little puzzled by one line; we do not quite see how a splice even by Hymen can be furthered by a clove-hitch.
At the supper -party. (From the souvenir of the first anniversary performance in London of The Merry Widow. London: William Heinemann.)
Duet and dance. (From the souvenir of the first anniversary performance in London of The Merry Widow. London: William Heinemann.)
The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News – Saturday 18th July
The Merry Widow Souvenir – The Tatler – Wednesday 12th August 1908
Lily Elsie – The Merry Widow – The Sketch – Wednesday 22 May 1907
THE NEW MUSICAL COMEDY STAR: MISS LILY ELSIE, WHO IS TO PLAY THE CHIEF PART IN “THE MERRY WIDOW,” AT DALY’S.
The presentation of “The Merry Widow” will introduce a new leading lady to the London musical-comedy stage. We use the term “new leading lady” advisedly, for the Daly production will mark Miss Elsie’s first appearance in London as chief “star,” although she created the part of Lally in “The New Aladdin,” and played it until Miss Gertie Millar was able to take it up, and appeared with success in “The Chinese Honeymoon,” “Lady Madcap,” “The Little Michus,” “The Little Cherub,” and “See -See.”
The Sketch – Wednesday 22nd May 1907
Emmy Wehlen – The Merry Widow – The Sketch – Wednesday 7th April 1909
THE NEW SONIA: MISS EMMY WEHLEN IN “THE MERRY WIDOW,” AT DALY’S.
Miss Wehlen made her first appearance as Sonia in “The Merry Widow” at Daly’s Theatre on the 29th of last month, and scored an immediate success. This reminds us, by the way, that we were incorrect in saying last week that Miss Wehlen is to understudy Miss Lily Elsie. As a matter of fact, she has been engaged by Mr. George Edwardes to play leading parts, and leading parts only, for two years at least. London will hope that these two years will be considerably extended.
The Sketch – Wednesday 7th April 1909
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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