Typescript letter signed to Beaton
- Beaton/A/A1/36/10
- Item
- 30 Jan. 1948
Part of Papers of Sir Cecil Beaton
Discusses his and Maud's visit to the dress rehearsal at Winter Garden. Olivier (Laurence) was most 'affable and charming'. Brown and Selby-Walker gave him the 'blackest of black looks'. Expresses delight at the scenery. The costumes are 'as badly made as it is possible for them to be'. Feels that they have 'copied the designs in the most uninspired fashion'. Maud had the same opinions. Only the costumes made by Nathan were any good. Extended discussion of the women's costumes. These were also disappointing. He and Maud managed to slip away without seeing anybody and so avoided having to give any opinion. John Vickers took photographs and Maud asked for a set to send to Beaton. Believes that Olivier saw how bad the costumes were. Emil wants to cut out the borders in act one and use the act three ceiling instead. Includes drawings of how the costumes looked.