Topsy Sinden and Lily Elsie on tour in See-See, early 1907

Topsy Sinden (1877-1950) and Lily Elsie (1886-1962), as they appeared respectively as So-Hie and See-See, with ladies of the chorus, on tour in the United Kingdom during the first few months of 1907 with George Edwardes’s Company‘ in the ‘New Chinese Comic Opera,’ See-See. So-Hie and See-See were originally played by Gabrielle Ray and Denise Orme when See-See was first produced at the Prince of Wales’s Theatre, London, on 20 June 1906.
(photo: Foulsham & Banfield, London, late 1906/early1907; postcard no 3283F in the Rotary Photographic Co Ltd’s Rotary Photographic Series, published London, early 1907)

”’SEE SEE” AT HAMMERSMITH.
‘Miss Lily Elsie, who played the title rôle in ”The New Aladdin” at the Gaiety, gave a charming performance of ”See See” at the King’s, Hammersmith, last night. Miss Elsie has an engaging presence and a charming voice, and altogether gives promise of a brilliant future. Mr. George Edwardes has staged the popular Chinese comic opera very handsomely, both as regards scenery and company. Mr. Frank Danby and Mr. W.H. Rawlins keep the fun going, and the singing, acting, and dancing of Miss Amy Augarde, Mr. Leonard Mackay, and Miss Topsy Sinden are delightful. The production was enthusiastically received by a full house.’
(The Standard, London, Tuesday, 30 April 1907, p. 4f)

First edition of Footlight Notes, November 1994

Footlight Notes, cover proof of the first edition, published November 1994, featuring a photograph of Gabrielle Ray (1883-1973), English musical comedy actress and dancer, as Polly Polino in Peggy, Gaiety Theatre, London, 4 March 1911
(photo: Bassano, London, 1 June 1911, negative no. 40747, 2nd of 15 poses).

Gertrude Glyn as she appeared as Sonia during the run of The Merry Widow, Daly’s Theatre, London, 1907-1909

Gertrude Glyn (1886-1965), English musical comedy actress, as she appeared as understudy to Lily Elsie in the role of Sonia during the first London run of The Merry Widow, produced at Daly’s Theatre, Leicester Square, on 8 June 1907 and closed on 31 July 1909.
(photo: Bassano, London, probably 1908 or 1909; postcard no. 1792M in the Rotary Photographic Series, published by the Rotary Photographic Co Ltd, London, 1908 or 1909)

Gertrude Glyn began her career in 1901 at the age of 15 with Seymour Hicks when he cast her in one of the minor roles in the ‘musical dream,’ Bluebell in Fairyland (Vaudeville Theatre, London, 18 December 1901), of which he and his wife, Ellaline Terriss were the stars. Miss Glyn was subsequently under contract to George Edwardes, appearing in supporting roles at the Gaiety and Daly’s theatres in London and where she was also one of several understudies to both Gabrielle Ray and Lily Elsie. She also seen from time to time in other United Kingdom cities. Her appearances at Daly’s in The Merry Widow, The Dollar Princess (1909-10), A Waltz Dream (1911), and The Count of Luxembourg (1911-12) were followed during 1912 or 1913 by her taking the role of Lady Babby in Gipsy Love (also played during the run by Avice Kelham and Constance Drever), in succession to Gertie Millar.

On 10 April 1914, Gertrude Glyn and Elsie Spain sailed from London aboard the SS Otway bound for Sydney, Australia. Their first appearances there were at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Sydney, on 6 June that year in Gipsy Love in which they took the parts respectively of Lady Babby and Ilona, the latter first played in London by Sari Petrass.

Gipsy Love, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Sydney, 6 June 1914
‘A thoroughly artistic performance is that offered by Miss Gertrude Glyn, another newcomer, in the role of Lady Babby. Although her singing voice is not a strong point in her equipment of talent, this actress artistically makes one forget this fact in admiration for the skilful interpretation of her lines and lyrics, and also the gracefulness of her dancing and movements. Another point of excellence about Miss Glyn’s work is that she acts easily and naturally, always keeping well within the pictures and confines of the character she impersonates.’
(The Referee, Sydney, NSW, Wednesday, 17 June 1914, p. 15c)

Gertrude Glyn’s last appearances were as Lady Playne in succession to Madeline Seymour and Mary Ridley in Paul Rubens’s musical play, Betty, which began its long run at Daly’s Theatre, London, on 24 April 1915 and ended on 8 April 1916.

* * * * *

Gertrude Glyn’s real name was Gertrude Mary Rider. She was the youngest daughter of James Gray (or Grey) Rider (1847/49-1900), a civil servant, and his wife, Elizabeth. She was baptised on 24 October 1886 at St. Mark’s, Hanwell, Middlesex. She married in 1918.
‘CAPTAIN BULTEEL and MISS GERTRUDE GLYN (RIDER).
‘The marriage arranged between Captain Walter Beresford Bulteel, Scottish Horse, youngest son of the late John Bulteel, of Pamflete, Devon, and Gertrude Mary Glyn (Rider), youngest daughter of the late James Grey Rider, and of Mrs. Rider, 6, Windsor Court, Bayswater, will take place at St. Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, on Thursday, May 9, at 2.30.’
(The Times, London, 7 May 1918, p. 9c)
Bulteel, one of whose maternal great grandfathers was Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey (1764-1845), was born in 1873 and died in 1952; his wife (Gertrude Glyn) died on 16 October 1965.

Sophie Eyre, Irish born actress, photographed by Sarony, New York, circa 1885

Sophie Eyre (1853?-1892), Irish born dramatic Actress
(cabinet photo: Sarony, New York, circa 1885)

‘THE LATE SOPHIE EYRE
‘The death is announced at Naples, Italy, Nov. 5 [1892], of Sophie Eyre, the well known leading lady. She had been sojourning in that city, and succumbed to an attack of heart disease. Six years ago, Sophie Eyre told THE CLIPPER the story of her life. She was born Sophia Lillian Ryan, at Tipperary, Ire., about 1857, and was the daughter of Maj. Ryan. At the age of seventeen she married Maj. Lonsdale, of the Seventh English Hussars, and went with her husband to India, where, at nineteen, she became a widow. Returning to England, she followed an inclination, which, in an amateur way, had manifested itself while she was quite young, and adopted the stage. Her first professional appearance was made at the Theatre Royal, Portsmouth, Eng., in a small part, and she remained at that house six months. Then she went on a provincial tour in ”Diplomacy,” playing Zicka. The following season she made another tour of the English provinces, doing the lead and playing at all the principal theatres of Great Britain outside of London. The Summer of that year she filled in with the stock at the Torquay Theatre. About May, 1882, she went to London and made her debut June 17 at a special matinee at the Adelphi Theatre as Queen Anne in the historical play, ”The Double Rose,” after which Aug. Harris, of the Drury Lane Theatre, engaged her to support Ristori at his house. Then she signed with the management of the Adelphi, and appeared Nov. 18, 1882, in ”Love and Money.” Later she acted in ”Rachel the Reaper,” after which she returned to the Drury Lane. On March 5, 1884, she created the title role in Sydney Hodges’ ”Gabrielle” at the Gaiety Theatre, London. A few weeks later Lester Wallack engaged her for this country, and she made her American debut June 23, 1884, at Utica, N.Y., with the Wallack Co. in the title role of ”Lady Clare.” She traveled through the West, and in California, about January of 1885, she married Chauncey R. Winslow [1860-1909], a resident of Cincinnati, O. Her New York debut was accomplished Oct. 26, 1885, in ”In His Power,” at Wallack’s. The play was a failure, and was immediately withdrawn. Then Miss Eyre went on the road by arrangement with Mr. Wallack, at the head of Charles Frohman’s Co., playing ”La Belle Russe.” Later Miss Eyre had trouble with Mr. Wallack, and withdrew from the theatre. She was in 1888 divorced from Mr. Winslow, and had since married again.’
(The New York Clipper, New York, Saturday, 12 November 1892, p. 573b/c, with engraved portrait)

* * * * *

‘Kyrle Bellew, Mr. Wallack’s latest imported leading man, is also an ex-Australian… . He has put Mr. Wallack in an unpleasant predicament. Miss Sophie Eyre was engaged for leading parts this season and Mr. Bellew absolutely refuses to play with her on the ground that she is too large and would spoil his appearance on the stage. So much for having a petted actor in a company… .’
(Newark Daily Advocate, Newark, Ohio, 11 December 1885, p. 3c)

Gabrielle Ray to return to the stage, London, April 1914

Gabrielle Ray (1883-1973), English musical comedy dancer and actress, as Polly Polino in Peggy (Gaiety Theatre, London, 4 March 1911), during her final professional appearances prior to her marriage on 2 March 1912 to Eric Loder (1888-1966) at St Edward’s Roman Catholic Church, Windsor.
(photo: Bassano, London, 1 June 1911)

London, April 1914
‘Gabrielle Ray is coming back to the stage. Leastwise I am told so in the most emphatic manner by the press agent of one of the leading theatrical managers in London. Miss Ray was, of course, one of the most popular of Daly’s theater [London] stars and at one time enjoyed the distinction of being the most photographed beauty in stageland. Her picture post cards sold in hundreds of thousands and no one was surprised when she captured a scion of the Loder family, famous in sporting circles and on terms of intimacy with royalty. Unfortunate the union was not a happy one and it was not long before it was a case of ”as you were” by permission of the courts. Lately Miss Ray, who, after her marriage, was seen very little by her former companions in the theatrical profession, has been returning to her old haunts and has been a regular attendant at all the costume balls so much frequented by the more swagger actresses.
‘Gabrielle Ray was never a great actress and never had any voice, but she had a dainty beauty and charm that was more valuable to her than either voice or talent would have been. Her biggest successes were made in unambitious dances that called for little more than grace and the ability to pose. I am told that in her new engagement, which will be announced shorty, she will continue in the line of her old successes.’
(John Ava Carpenter, ‘The News from London,’ The Chicago Sunday Tribune, Chicago, Sunday, 12 April 1914, section VIII, p. 2e/f)

Florence St. John (née Margaret Florence Greig, 1855-1912), English actress and vocalist
(photo: Alfred Ellis, 20 Upper Baker Street, London, NW, negative no. 13721-14, early 1893; see the National Archives, London, COPY 1/412/470)

This photograph was taken during the run of the musical farce, In Town, following its transfer in December 1892 from the Prince of Wales’s Theatre, London, to the Gaiety Theatre, London, in which Miss St. John played the part of Kitty Hetherton.

Florence St. John, star of burlesque and comic opera, photographed in 1893

Florence St. John (née Margaret Florence Greig, 1855-1912), English actress and vocalist
(photo: Alfred Ellis, 20 Upper Baker Street, London, NW, negative no. 13721-14, early 1893; see the National Archives, London, COPY 1/412/470)

This photograph was taken during the run of the musical farce, In Town, following its transfer in December 1892 from the Prince of Wales’s Theatre, London, to the Gaiety Theatre, London, in which Miss St. John played the part of Kitty Hetherton.

Dorma Leigh and Jan Oyra in The Girl on the Film, London and New York, 1913

Dorma Leigh (1890-1969), English dancer, and Jan Oyra (1888-1928 or later), Polish dancer, ballet master and dancing teacher, as they appeared in the musical farce, The Girl on the Film, produced at the Gaiety Theatre, London, 5 April 1913, and at the 44th Street Theatre, New York, 29 December 1913.
(photo: Foulsham & Banfield, London, 1913)

Connie Gilchrist as The Slave of the Lamp in Aladdin, Gaiety Theatre, London, 24 December 1881

Connie Gilchrist (1865-1946), English artist’s model, dancer and actress, as she appeared as The Slave of the Lamp in Aladdin; or, the Sacred Lamp, a burlesque by Robert Reece, produced at the Gaiety Theatre, London, on 24 December 1881. Other members of the cast included Edward Terry, Nellie Farren, E.W. Royce, Kate Vaughan and J.J. Dallas.
(photo: W. & D. Downey, London, 1881/82)

Laddie Cliffe and Barry Lupino in The Millionaire Kid, Gaiety Theatre, London, 1931

Laddie Cliff (1891-1946) and Barry Lupino (1882-1962), English actors and singers, as they appeared as Albert Skinner and Charlie Bang in the musical comedy, The Millionaire Kid, with music by Billy Mayerl, which opened at the Gaiety Theatre, London, on 20 May 1931 following a suburban preview at the Wimbledon Theatre, south west London, on 27 April 1931.
(photo: Stage Photo Co, London, 1931)