Identity area
Reference code
Beaton/D/1/9/14
Unique identifier
Title
Date(s)
- 23 February 1951 (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
2p paper
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Photographer, artist, writer, and designer of scenery and costumes. Educated at Harrow and St John's College, Cambridge, 1922-5. Made his name as a photographer through portraits of the Sitwells. Employed by Vogue in London and New York. Published 'The Book of Beauty' (1930). Photographed the Duke of Windsor's wedding, 1937. War photographer, 1939-45. Designed 'Lady Windermere's Fan', 1945. Designed costumes for 'An Ideal Husband' and 'Anna Karenina', 1948. Worked on 'The School for Scandal', 1949, 'Quadrille' for Noel Coward, 1952, 'Turandot', 1961, and 'La Traviata', 1966. Designed costumes for 'My Fair Lady', 1956, and for the film version in Hollywood, 1963. His play 'The Gainsborough Girls', 1951 and 1959, was unsuccessful. Published 'The Glass of Fashion' (1954), and six volumes of diaries. Exhibited photographs at the National Portrait Gallery, 1968. Knighted 1972.
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Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Beaton writes that he is very upset about the difficulties in putting on his play. They might have to postpone it until Autumn, in which case they should try to secure Roger Livesey. Kay Brown thinks that they should assemble a cast now, and that Beaton should go back to London immediately. Beaton, though, wants Evans to investigate potential directors and cast before his return. He apologizes for his apparent callousness when told about Peter Potter's leg amputation. He discusses potential actors and actresses: Irene Worth is his favourite, to play either daughter. Marianne Davis wants them to go ahead with the production in order to get into the Duke of York's. Beaton has heard that the celebrated Sam Berman has also had difficulties with his play, so maybe what he is going through is usual in the theatre world; remains hopeful.