Sylvia Grey

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Sylvia Grey was born in London in 1866 and died 1958. She was a British actress and dancer.

Sylvia Grey began her stage career at the age of 10 appearing in Shakespearean plays performed at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London. After two years she continued with her education, and finally graduated with a degree in music from Trinity College, London. Grey than sang professionally in a choir while continuing with her singing tuition.

After initially performing a number of small roles at The Vaudeville Theatre, Grey moved, on invitation, to the Gaiety Theatre, London. The Gaiety had a reputation for its successful style of burlesque, and so Grey took a series of dancing lessons before debuting as a dancer in 1884. Two years later, Grey signed a contract with a touring theatre company but was then offered a dancing role in The Vicar of Wide-awake-field at the Gaiety. Grey was fortunate in being released from her touring contract as the company collapsed three weeks later.

Grey continued at the Gaiety and rose to become the principle dancer. In addition to dancing, she would often play comedy roles. Shows associated with Grey include Little Jack Sheppard, and Ruy Blas and the Blase Roue. In 1891, the Gaiety company, including Grey, took Cinder Ellen up-too-Late on tour to Australia.

Grey's last West End performance was in Baron Golosh in 1894.

In addition to appearing on stage, Grey also taught performance and many of her clients were drawn from the aristocracy. This was to provide her with a greater income than that she received from performing at the Gaiety.