Theatre group – November/December 2023

This month eight of us went to the Pavilions to see Cecil Beaton’s Diaries delivered by an extremely accomplished actor who not only looked like Cecil Beaton but sounded as you would imagine.

Being a great fan of Cecil Beaton, a multi-talented, often misunderstood, slightly bitter and an utter snob, I found the performance of this complex character did not disappoint.

He is best described as one of the greatest photographers and illustrators for stage and costumes for Hollywood.

His earlier photographs included the Queen Mother (and then later becoming Queen Elizabeth’s official photographer), Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Vivien Leigh to name just a few, and of course his great love Greta Garbo who’s friendship although spanning the decades disintegrated when he released some private photos of her to a fashion magazine followed by publishing a book. It was as if he had a self-destruct button at times, and his jealousy destroyed many friendships. Although he photographed them both, he treated Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor with utter disdain, and of Elizabeth Taylor he is recorded as saying “she is a monster” and “everything I dislike”.  He was not on good terms with Laurence Olivier which only got worse when “Larry” who had been a source of irritation to Cecil for many years married Vivien Leigh who, up to that time he considered one of his closest friends.

Nonetheless, he remains one of the greatest photographers of the century, along with his creativity with fashion and set design and in the days before the internet his photographs in Vogue are what showed the world the glitz and glamour of the world of fashion and major films from Hollywood.

I could go on but a brilliant performance portraying a brilliant character.

Elsewhere some members went to the Shaftesbury for one of the film club’s chosen films. There is no need to be a member, the cost is £5 at the door.

This month we look forward to Andre Rieu’s White Christmas just in time to get us in the festive mood. And some members will be making arrangements for panto season.

Kate McCarthy, Convenor