As a long term Hamhaugh Island resident, Marianne “Ruby” Price, has just celebrated her 100th birthday we have been hearing tales about her life in a different era. It was a life of glitz and glamour on the stage, travelling the world and performing with the stars.
Born during the Great War, Ruby trained in London with a vocal coach and went in to a singing career, initially solo and then as part of a trio. As a performer she was also expected to turn her hand to whatever was required and was one day told to learn to juggle and skate in preparation for a performance…which was the following day!
Of course she rose to the occasion. Her love was singing however.
She was at the height of her career during WW2 where she performed at the Coliseum, often finding herself locked in, together with the audience, during air raids and she described how the evening would turn into a party as no one could leave.
She went on to tour around Europe and the world, visiting Japan, India, New Zealand and Australia. At the time of course she was travelling by boat, so you can imagine the long voyages she undertook and just how exotic and adventurous her life was. After her stint in Australia she and her group negotiated a free passage back to the UK in exchange for free shows on board.
Her career brought her into contact with many household names in show biz: Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey, and Marilyn Monroe to name a few. She has memories of Vivien Leigh once borrowing her lipstick in the changing room before a show. Ruby and her manager Harry became an item and moved to Hamhaugh Island together. Sadly Harry only lived a few months after the move, but Ruby herself lived out her retirement there, spending 30 years on the island, contented with the river, the garden and the community.
She joined in and relished all the many events that come with a life on Hamhaugh. Ruby has now moved to a residential home in Scarborough, to be near family. She still joins in all the activities on offer, including the trips to the pub! She may not be as flexible or may not be able to reach the high notes, but she has retained her zest for life and cheery nature.