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
The Girl from Kay’s – Theatre Advert – 1910
NORWICH
THEATRE ROYAL – The attraction at the Theatre Royal next week, with matinee on the Saturday, will be a return visit of that popular musical play, “The Girl from Kay’s,” from the Apollo Theatre, London. The piece is from the pen of Owen Hall, lyrics by Adrian Ross and Claude Aveling, and the music is composed and a by Ivan Caryll. The play will be with Mr. Geo. Dance’s company. Mien Florriee Millington, who appears in the title role, has played in many West End Theatres. Mr. Harry Adnes is selected for the comic character of Hoggenheimer. There will be a full chorus and augmented orchestra, under the direction of Mr. T. D. Lewis. The box office is now open.
Eastern Daily Press – Friday 22nd April 1910
Gabrielle Ray – The Casino Girl – The Bournemouth Guardian – Saturday 26th October 1901
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
THEATRE ROYAL, BOURNEMOUTH.
The “Casino Girl” at the Theatre Royal this week is a brilliant and dashing musical farce, and goes with a great swing. There was a crowded house on Monday, and, no doubt, the attendances will be equally satisfactory every evening. The play is supposed to be a scene in Cairo. The first set is in a street in that city, and the second a scene in the Pasha’s Palace. Mr Max Copland, as Pilsener Pasha, whose introduction of beer into Egypt won for him this title, sustains his role in a manner which causes great merriment, and when he acts in the capacity of judge at the trial of Percy Harold Ethelbert Van Stuvyesant (Mr Cecil Curtis), an American doctor, who is arrested as the robber of the Palace Ben Maley, the laughter is unrestrainable. J. Offenbach Gaggs (Mr Joseph Wilson), a grand opera tenor, who takes a company to Cairo and meets with nothing but reverses, is heard to good effect in his song, “Nothing new.” Mr Stanley White, as the real Ben Muley, and his lieutenant, Postage (Mr Little Ganty) gave a splendid knock-about performance. Miss Isa Bowman (Laura Lee), formerly of the New York Casino Co, known in Cairo as Mille Estella, a French milliner, is an able dancer, and thoroughly deserved the encore which was accorded her for the singing of “Ma Blushin’ Rosie.” Dollie Twinkle, Miss Gabrielle Ray, is another charming dancer, and twists the Pasha round her thumb in a most amusing manner. Odaliska (Miss Millie Sylvestre) is seen to good advantage as the Pasha’s favourite. All the other parts are in capable hands, and receive the best possible portrayal. The dresses are charming, and all the songs have a good chorus, which were done full justice to. The dancing is captivating, and the play throughout goes splendidly together, and make up an entertaining whole. The performance is to be repeated to-night (Saturday), and at a matinee this afternoon.
The Bournemouth Guardian – Saturday 26th October 1901
Gabrielle Ray – The Casino Girl – Dublin Evening Telegraph – Saturday 14th September 1901
The musical farce, in two acts, from the Shaftesbury Theatre, London, entitled “The Casino Girl, will be presented at the Theatre Royal on Monday evening for the first time in Dublin by Mr Ben Greet’s company. A strong cast has been engaged. Mr. Joseph Wilson, who will be remembered here as having played in the Theatre Royal pantomime “Cinderella,” scores as “J. Offenbach Gaggs.” The title role will be played by Miss Isa Bowman, who is well and favourably known in Dublin. Miss Gabrielle Ray, late the “Mamie Clancy,” of “The Belle of New York” Company, a sprightly dancer and a most charming actress, has everywhere scored with success as “Dolly Twinkle.” We are informed that it is a very bright and mirthful piece, full of good songs and pretty dances. The magnificent scenery and dresses are an exact replica of the original London production at the Shaftesbury Theatre.
Dublin Evening Telegraph – Saturday 14th September 1901
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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