RayPlaybills

Playbills

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The Ray Family

Edward Adam Ray, although always fascinated by the theatre had no connections with the stage until the early 1800's. It may have been George Collins Gibbon,( his friend and business partner) who was the catalyst and changed him from a cooper 1788-1795 and a "Gent"-1797 to a Theatre Manager and Actor by 1803. These early playbills show Mr Edward Ray, Miss J. Ray, Miss Matilda Ray and "Miss Ray" (presumably Harriot, Matilda's older sister). By 1809 other members of the family were also appearing on the stage although only Matilda went on to achieve greater success. Also mentioned in some of the bills is Mr Gibbon and a Mr Oxberry who went on to write a series of biographies about his fellow thespians. His writings included Charles Edward Horn and Matilda Ray (Mrs Charles Edward Horn). Note: Some of the playbills are large files and will take a little time to open. The exact file size of each playbill is indicated in red.
	Theatre Stratford, Dated 9th March 1805 "For the Benefit of Mr and Mrs Warrell." "The Black Tower" Mr Edward Ray as "Edwy", Miss Matilda Ray as "Negombo" "Bluebeard" Miss Matilda Ray as "Beda" (with a fancy dance) File size: 137 kb
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	Theatre Stratford, Dated 16th March 1805 "For the Benefit of Mrs Barre, Mrs Keys." "Heir at Law" Miss Matilda Ray as "Caroline Dormer" "Tale of Mystery" "As performed 80 nights at the Theatre Royal Covent Garden, and justly considered the most interesting Drama ever produced on the English Stage" Mr Edward Ray as "Francifco" Miss Matilda Ray as "Selina" File size: 138 kb
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	Theatre Stratford, Dated 19th March 1805 "For the Benefit of Messieurs Bellamy and Richardson." "Blind Bargain" First produced THIS SEASON at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, and performed upwards of sixty successive nights. Mr [Edward} Ray as "Tourley" Miss Matilda Ray as "Sophia Woodbine" Miss Ray as "Rachel", (a Gypsy) "Of Age to-Morrow" Miss Matilda Ray as "Sophia" File size: 120 kb
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	Theatre Stratford, Dated 1st April 1805 "Positively the last Night but Three." "Romeo and Juliet" Mr [Edward] Ray as "Romeo" "Perouse;" Mr [Edward] Ray as "Perouse" Miss Matilda Ray as "Umba" (a Female Native) File size: 142 kb
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	For the benefit of The Widows and Orphans of those Brave Fellows who Fell in the Glorious Engagement under the late Gallant Lord Nelson, off Cape Trafalger, on the 21st Day of October, 1805 Theatre Glocester, Dated 25th November 1805 "The School for Scandal" Miss Ray as Maria "Ways and Means" Miss Ray as Harriet Miss M. Ray as Kitty File size: 125 kb
This will positively be the last night of PERFORMING THIS SEASON: and it is very earnestly and respectfully entreated that every LOYAL and FEELING HEART will come forward on this occasion, and pay a Grateful Tribute to the Memory of their PRESERVERS.-For this Night the Box Tickets will be raised to Five Shillings each--an advance which Messrs. Ray and Gibbon have been induced to adopt, at the particular desire of several highly respectable individuals, who feel a lively interest in promoting the humble endeavours of the Managers in this benevolent cause.-- Pit and Gallery Tickets at the usual prices. Tickets, and Places for the Boxes, to be taken at Mr Whittick's Perfumer, Westgate Street
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	ELEGANT DANCING ON THE TIGHT ROPE BY THE CELEBRATED YOUNG SAUNDERS FROM LONDON. Theatre Glocester, Dated 28th February 1806 "The WILL" Mr Ray as Howard Miss Ray as Cicely Copsley Miss M. Ray as Albina Mandeville File size: 122 kb
Messrs Ray and Co. very respectfully inform the Ladies and Gentlemen of Glocester and its Vicinity, that they have at a very considerable Expense engaged Mr Saunders and Company, from London, for a few nights; after which they hope to present several New and very Respectable Performers, and pledge themselves to spare no pains, or expense, to prove their claim to public patronage, during their short stay this season, which will positively not exceed five weeks.
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	ELEGANT DANCING ON THE TIGHT ROPE BY THE CELEBRATED YOUNG SAUNDERS FROM LONDON. Theatre Glocester, Dated 5th March, 1806. "Ways and Means" Miss Ray as Harriet Miss M. Ray as Kitty N.B. Miss Saunders is engaged, and will shortly make her appearance on the Slack Wire :. The Theatre will be open every Night during Mr Saunders Engagement File size: 146 kb
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	Theatre Glocester, Dated 6th March, 1806. THE CELEBRATED MISS SAUNDERS THE FIRST EQUILIBRIST IN THE WORLD Will go through her unparalleled Performance on THE SLACK WIRE (being her first performance on stage) "The Farm House" Mr Ray as Modely Miss M. Ray as Aura END OF THE PLAY , THE GREATLY CELEBRATED YOUNG SAUNDERS WILL PERFORM HIS ELEVATED AND UNPARALLELED FEATS ON THE TIGHT ROPE :. The Theatre will be open every Night during Mr Saunders Engagement File size: 101 kb
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	BY DESIRE OF COLONEL LEATHES, And the Officers, of the 96th Regt. of Foot. Theatre Glocester, Dated 8th March, 1806. "HEIR AT LAW" Mr Ray as Dick Dowlas Miss Ray as Caroline Dormer Miss M. Ray as Cicely. In the course of the evening, A FANCY DANCE , BY MISS J. RAY, (Her First Appearance on any Stage) "Irishman in London" Mr Ray as Edward Miss Ray as Caroline Miss M Ray as Cubba File size: 115 kb
:. Master Saunders will perform, for his benefit, on Monday, March 17, being POSITIVELY his Last Appearance
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	Theatre Glocester, Dated 12th March, 1806. "JOHN BULL" Mr Ray as Tom Shuffleton Miss M. Ray as Lady Caroline. "Raymond and Agnes" Or "THE BLEEDING NUN" Mr Ray as Raymond Miss J. Ray as Theodore Miss M. Ray as Agnes Miss Ray as The Bleeding Nun File size: 189 kb
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	BY DESIRE OF WILLIAM LAWRENCE, Esq. HIGH SHERIFF. Theatre Glocester, Dated 13th March, 1806. "POOR GENTLEMAN" Mr Ray as Frederic Miss Ray as Emily Worthington Between the Play and Farce, A FANCY DANCE by Miss J. Ray "RAISING THE WIND" Mr Ray as Diddler Miss M. Ray as Miss Plainway Tickets to be had, and Places for the Boxes taken, at Mr Whittick's Perfumer, Westgate Street File size: 99 kb
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	Theatre Glocester, Dated 14th March, 1806. "SPEED the PLOUGH" Miss M. Ray as Miss Blandford Miss Ray as Susan Ashfield Between the Play and Farce, a favourite DANCE called "The Cottagers Daughters" Miss Ray as Little Bobby The Cottagers daughters Miss M. and Miss J. Ray In which they will introduce a FANCY DANCE, Assistant dancers, by the rest of the company. "The Spoil'd Child" Miss M. Ray as Little Pickle Miss Ray as Maria Tickets to be had, and Places for the Boxes taken, at Mr Whittick's Perfumer, Westgate Street File size: 195 kb
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	ARTIFICIAL FIRE-WORKS NEVER PERFORMED HERE Theatre Glocester, Dated 19th March, 1806. "The Way to Get Married" Mr Ray as Tangent Miss Ray as Fanny Miss M Ray as Julia Faulkner "MIDNIGHT HOUR" Mr Ray as the Marquis Miss M. Ray as Flora The whole to conclude with a representation of Artificial Fire-Works forming a variety of colours and changes; consisting of PLANETS---PEACE AND PLENTY---A SPECKLED STAR---A GLOBE STAR---MERCURY---and GOD SAVE THE KING, which will be sung by the whole of the COMPANY. Tickets to be had, and Places for the Boxes taken, at Mr Whittick's Perfumer, Westgate Street File size: 123 kb
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	ARTIFICIAL FIRE-WORKS BY PARTICULAR DESIRE, and the LAST TIME of Exhibiting them this Season Theatre Glocester, Dated 24th March, 1806. "King Richard III" Miss M. Ray as The Prince of Wales Miss J. Ray as The Duke of York Mr Ray as Richmond "Modern Antiques;" or "MERRY MOURNERS" Mr Ray as the Coachman Miss Ray as Belinda Miss M. Ray as Nan Miss J. Ray as Betty. The whole to conclude with a representation of Artificial Fire-Works File size: 103 kb
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	A Grand view of the English Fleet. Theatre Glocester, Dated 26th March, 1806. "Point of Honour" Mr Ray as Durimel "PHYSIC & FUN" Mr Ray as Doctor Fillgrave "THOMAS & SALLY" Mr Richards as Thomas in which character he will introduce A TRIBUTE to the Memory of the Lamented LORD NELSON Written by a Gentlemen resident in Glocester File size: 159 kb
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	Theatre Glocester, Dated 28th March, 1806. "The Orphan" or "The Unhappy Marriage" Miss J. Ray as the Page Miss Ray as The Maid "Weather-Cock" Mr Ray as Tristram Fickle Miss Ray as Ready Miss M. Ray as Variella Tickets to be had, and Places for the Boxes taken, at Mr Whittick's Perfumer, Westgate Street File size: 88 kb
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	Theatre Glocester, Dated 14th April, 1806. "Hamlet" Mr Ray as Hamlet Miss M Ray as Ostrick "Robinson Crusoe:" Or, "Harlequin Friday" Miss M Ray as Colombine The whole to conclude with a view of the GRAND FLEET AT ANCHOR: and a song to the memory of the Gallant LORD NELSON by Mr Richards File size: 143 kb
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	FOR THE BENEFIT OF MR RAY & MR BUCKLE Theatre Glocester, Dated 17th April, 1806. "The Busy Body" Mr Ray as Marplot Miss M Ray as Patch Miss Ray as Scentwell "Barnaby Brittle" Miss M Ray as Damaris "Fortunes Frolic" Miss Ray as Nancy File size: 101 kb
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	Theatre Stroud, Dated 2nd May, 1806. "Pizarro" Or The death of Rolla. Mr Ray as Rolla Miss M Ray as Cora Miss Ray and Miss J Ray as Priestesses and a virgin of the sun "Raymond and Agnes"; Or The Bleeding Nun Miss Ray as Agnes Miss M Ray as Margaretta Miss J Ray as a Nun File size: 130 kb
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	FOR THE BENEFIT OF MISS RAY & MISS MATILDA RAY Theatre Stroud, Dated 14th May, 1806. "The Soldiers Daughter" Mr Ray as Frank Heartall Miss M Ray as Susan "The Highland Reel" Principal Dancers The Miss Rays "Tom Thumb the Great" Maids of Honour (much admired for their neatness of dress and elegant dancing) by the Miss Rays File size: 133 kb
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	Theatre Royal Lyceum. Dated May 30th 1812. Their Majesties Servants will perform (11th time) a New Grand Operatic Romance in Three Acts, called The Devils Bridge. With entirely New Music, Scenery Dresses, and Decorations. The MUSIC composed by MR. BRAHAM and MR. HORN, the OVERTURE by Mr HORN. The Principal Characters by MR. BRAHAM, MR RAY, MR. OXBERRY, MRS DICKONS, MRS BLAND, MISS KELLY. File size: 308 kb
The Public are respectfully informed, that the New Grand Operatic Romance of The DEVILS BRIDGE, continuing to be performed with unbounded applause, will be repeated on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, next, being the last nights of the performance of that Opera, and of Mr BRAHAM'S engagement.
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	Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Dated November 20th 1813. Their Majefties Servants will Act, for the 2nd time this seafon, (by permission of the proprietor of the English Opera,) the Operatic Romance of: The Devils Bridge. Count Belino by Mr Braham Rosalvina by Mrs Dickons Officers, Mr Ray, Mr I. West. Petro by Mr Oxberry Libretto by Samuel James Arnold. Music composed by Charles Edward Horn and John Braham. File size: 346 kb
The Publick are respectfully informed that the YOUNG LADY who made her firft appearance in the character of Juliet , on Thursday, was received throughout the part with unbounded and unanimous approbation and applause, in consequence of which On Monday, will be performed, for the second time, Shakespeare's Tragedy of ROMEO and JULIET, the part of Juliet by A YOUNG LADY , being her second appearance on any stage, to which will be added for the firft time, a New Musical Farce, in Two Acts, to be called WHO'S TO HAVE HER? With New Musick, Scenery and dresses.
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