Item 14 - Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Liverpool

Thanks Beaton for writing. Feels he has let down the theatre, his friends, himself and his family for an 'idiotic and momentary impulse'. Acted stupidly afterwoulds, insisting on tackling it without any advice. Could not bear the idea of a case and weeks of obscene publicity. The miracle is that his friends have stood by him so superbly and even the public looks like they will let him go on with his work. Both things would not have been like that twenty years ago. Thinks his mother has not realised the full significance of it, or else 'she's the most wonderful actress in the Terry family'. Was not actually playing in London at the time and these four weeks of touring will test the public and his own nerves. The character he plays has sympathy without seeming to ask for it too much.