a poster for the London Palladium, advertising the bill for the week beginning Monday, 16 August 1920, with Gabrielle Ray assisted by Leslie Barker, Pattman and his Organ, Percy Honri, Johnson Clark, Lois Barker and Percy Tarling, Bert Levy, Maggie Clifton and partner, The Mandos, May Henderson, Mr Hymack and the Terry Twins.
Gabrielle Ray (1883-1973), English musical comedy dancer and actress, photographed for The Sketch about the time of her return to the stage in 1915. She afterwards appeared in revue and pantomime; she also toured United Kingdom variety theatres after opening at the London Palladium in song scenas with her then dancing partner, Leslie Barker.
(photo: The Sketch, London, 1915)
‘GABRIELLE RAY ENTERS VAUDE
‘LONDON, Eng., April 17 [1920]. – Gabrielle Ray, the musical comedy comedienne, assisted by Leslie Barker, is offering a new turn in the variety halls here, consisting of a number of new song selections, characters bits and dances. The piece, which opened at the Palladium, London [on Monday, 22 March 1920, before an engagement at the Alhambra, Bradford], is a big hit.’
(The New York Clipper, New York, Saturday, 21 April 1920, p. 13a)
London Palladium, week beginning Monday, 13 September 1920
‘Aptly described as the musical comedy favourite, Gabrielle Ray, supported by Leslie Barker and a bevy of charming children, score an artistic success with a finely contrasted series of song-scenas and dances. The act is beautifully staged and is deservedly acclaimed.’
(The Stage, London, Thursday, 16 September 1920, p. 12c)
The Upper Ten, an English concert party organized and headed by the actor and entertainer Kemsley Scott-Barrie (seated, right, on piano); other members of the group included Leslie Barker (back, left) and Mamie Watson (back, right)
(photo: Donald Massey, Bognor, Sussex, probably 1912)
‘The Upper Ten, who describe themselves as the ”merry and bright” concert party, are living up to this description at the Alexandra Palace Summer Pavilion this week, where their two shows a day are being well supported. Mr. K. Scott-Barrie, who heads the combination, is, of course, well-known to our readers, and his effervescent humour permeates the programme. Indeed, if we may criticise, we would suggest thet he need not interfere quite so much during other turns, but give the artists a chance to show their own merits. Miss Peggy Rae [i.e. Peg Ray, mother of Peter Sellers], Miss Mamie Watson, Miss Lillian Collard, Miss Madge Carr, and Miss Louie Milne [mother of Jimmy Campbell] all display ability in their respective lines, the last-named being a clever pianist, whiles the male members of the company are Mr. Charlie Carr, Mr. Reg Leslie, and Mr. Leslie Barker [(1895-1965) who later worked with Gabrielle Ray]. Some of the actions in the concerted items might be varied more, but, taken as a whole, the entertainment is certainly pleasant and amusing.’
(The Stage, London, Thursday, 6 June 1912, p. 19d)
Kemsley Scott-Barrie, whose real name was Edward Woolhouse, was born in 1883 in Leeds, Yorkshire, one of the children of Arthur Woolhouse, a joiner, and his second wife Sarah Ann (née Cousins), and baptised at the church of St. John the Baptist in that city on 13 April 1884. Originally an apprentice bricklayer, he became a professional entertainer in his early 20s. His relatively short career lasted from 1906 until enlisting during the First World War, attaining the rank of Corporal in the Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment). He appeared in pantomime and on the music hall stage but became particularly identified with his concert party work. He died on 6 October 1918 of wounds received in action, a little over a month before the end of hostilities. He is buried at Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, near Dieppe, northern France. (For further information, see The Stage, London, Thursday, 12 November 1998, p. 10)
Footlight Notes 