Gladys Guy in Dick Whittington, New Theatre, Cardiff, Christmas 1909

Gladys Guy (1888-1968), English actress and singer, as she appeared as Alice in the pantomime Dick Whittington at the New Theatre, Cardiff, Christmas, 1909. Other leading members of the cast were Isabelle Dillon in the title role, Johnny Fuller as the cat and Mark Lester as Idle Jack.
(photo: C. Corn, Cardiff, 1909; postcard published by the Metropolitan Studios, Cardiff, Panto Series)

Gladys Juhel Guy was born in London on 27 February 1888, one of the several children of George Augustus Guy (1851/52-1939), a French-born violinist, and his wife, Mary. Her career began about 1905 and between then and 1917 she appeared successfully in London and on tour in a number of musical productions as well as in pantomime. Miss Guy was also understudy at various times to both Phyllis Dare and Gabrielle Ray.

Gladys Guy was married at St. Jude’s Church, Kensington, London, on 1 June 1912 to Hugh Arnold Henson (1884-1958), an actor whose credits included a small part during the run of The Dollar Princess at Daly’s Theatre, London (1909-1910). He later joined the Indian Army in which he eventually became a lieutenant colonel. Miss Guy’s career came to an end just before the birth in 1918 of the couple’s son, Basil Edmund Wyvill Henson. The latter, who died in 1990, became the well-known actor, Basil Henson.

Fred Spencer burlesques a Gibson Girl, 1905

Fred Spencer (fl. 1890s-after 1949), English comedian, concert party entertainer and pantomime dame in costume as a Gibson Girl
(photo: J. White & Son, Littlehampton, East Sussex, probably 1905)

Dick Whittington, pantomime, The King’s Theatre, Hammersmith, Saturday, 23 December 1905
‘Mr. Fred Spencer introduces a capital burlesque of The Gibson Girl and as Martha Mixit, FitzWarren’s Housekeeper, supplies much mirth.’ Other members of the cast were Carlotta Levey in the title role, Harry Rogerson as Jack Idle and Maude Noel as Alice, Rhoda Ray as the Princess, Harry Kilburn as Alderman Fitzwarren and Johnny Fuller as the Cat.
(The Stage, London, 4 January 1906, p. 17a/b)

‘Fred Spencer.
‘Fred Spencer tells us that he is retiring from active work on the stage after a career extending over forty years. In his time he was one of the most popular of pantomime dames, and for many years enjoyed success as a seaside entertainer, spending twenty-one seasons at Littlehampton, seven at Paignton, ten at Seaford, and seven at Clacton. In more recent times he toured a three-act comedy with Gilbert Payne, which ran for over three years and his interpretation of the Mrs. ‘Arris character of C.B. Poultney made him known to many audiences. Mr. Spencer will retain the ”Mrs. ‘Arris” rights, but the part will in future be played by Dorothy Hildebrande.’
(The Stage, London, Thursday, 9 July 1931, p. 4b)