Item 31 - Letter to Beaton

Manuscript letter, possibly from the English artist and stage designer Oliver Messel (1904-1978), in which he writes that he very much appreciated Beaton's lovely work at the Haymarket last night, which demonstrated individuality, elegance and colour. Thinks he remembers reading somewhere that Beaton's first scene was self-conscious and overdone, but in his opinion, it was right for the audience to be introduced to Lady W. in an exquisitely gilded cage. He cannot pretend to have liked the production, however: good performances were a distinct minority. [Most likely to be discussing the 1945 production of 'Lady Windermere's Fan' at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, directed by John Gielgud (1904-2000).]