Eve Gray as Sleeping Beauty

Theatre Royal, Drury Lane - 1929/30

See our Drury Lane Article

Eve Gray, was English born, but was taken to Australia as a young child where she lived until she lived between 1912 and 1924. During that time she was a photographic model, then a chorus girl. In 1922 she won a beauty contest, 'The Most Beautiful Women in Australia'. Through winning that competition she had her portrait painted by Sir John Longstaff, and also progressed onto larger parts in theatre and subsequently leading stage roles in Australia. In 1924 she returned to England and appeared in a number of West End productions, and movies from 1927 onwards. She joined E.N.S.A during World War II and entertained the troops overseas. Her career waned as she became older. She (nor her only sister) married. From about 1956 onwards Eve and her sister Madge lived in the smallest house in Mere (Wiltshire). Eve died of lung cancer in 1983.

We are very grateful to Nick van der Waarden and Eve Gray's family for providing these pictures and information, which we use with permission.

Original Photo by 'Stage Photo Co'

Original Photo by 'Cigarini' Harrington Road, South Kensington

Original Photo by 'Cigarini' Harrington Road, South Kensington