Identity area
Reference code
Beaton/D/1/9/62
Unique identifier
Title
Date(s)
- 8 September 1959 (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.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Thanks Minster for his encouraging comments. Justifies his right to intransigence in the interest of the play. Criticizes Wolfit for inserting big speeches of his own into the play without Beaton's agreement. Would prefer that the play did not go to London. He will try to be as civil as possible to Wolfit during the photo call. Feels that he does not have the support of Seale as he ought. Is ready to rewrite the play to include Seale's proposed improvements but wants Wolfit and Seale to respect his text. Asks Minster what time it would be convenient for them to meet with Seale.