Jay, Isabel (1879–1927)

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Jay, Isabel (1879–1927)

English actress and singer. Name variations: Isabel Cavendish; Isabel Curzon. Born Oct 17, 1879, in Wandsworth, London, England; died Feb 26, 1927, in Monte Carlo; m. H.S.H. "Henry" Cavendish (African explorer), 1902 (div. 1906); m. Frank Curzon (actor-manager), July 28, 1910; children: Cecilia Cavendish (b. 1903); Pamelia Stephanie Curzon (b. 1915).

Made stage debut as Elsie Maynard in 1st London revival of The Yeomen of the Guard; became a principal D'Oyly Carte soprano, appearing as Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore, Tessa in The Gondoliers, Aloës in The Lucky Star, Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, the title role in Patience and Phyllis in Iolanthe; also created role of Blush-of-Morning in The Rose of Persia, then replaced Ellen Beach Yaw as Sultana Zubeydah (Nov 1899); created role of Lady Rose Pippin in The Emerald Isle (1901) and Gipsy Woman in Ib and Little Christina (1901); starred in other plays, including A Country Girl, The Cingalee, Véronique, The White Chrysanthemum, The Girl Behind the Counter, The Vicar of Wakefield, Miss Hook of Holland, King of Cadonia and The Balkan Princess; retired (1911); wrote and starred in The Inevitable (1923).