| Title |
Letters and postcards to Beaton |
| Reference |
A1/103 |
| Creator |
Hal Burton (b 1908) |
| Covering Dates |
1944–1977 |
| Extent and Medium |
14 letters, 7 postcards; paper; Manuscript |
|
| Content and context |
Director. |
| St John's Library/Beaton/A1/103 contains: |
|
1
|
Typescript letter signed to Beaton, from Middlesex. Asks forgiveness for his lack of correspondence. Feels able to write now that the play has opened in Edinburgh. After Beaton's departure, Alick Johnstone 'threw a terrific temperament' and gave up altogether. They managed to settle him down and after this he did a 'fine job'. John and Binkie are happy with the scenes. Extended discussion of various details of the set and how it compares to Beaton's original sketches. Thinks Beaton would be pleased with the costumes and general appearance of the actors. Any defects will be put right before they come to town. The audience in Edinburgh gave the play a warm reception on the first night. There are a few passages that need 'ironing out'. Discusses various scenes and actors in the play and their attendant problems. Has strong feelings that the show will be running in London when Beaton returns to England. It will come to town as long as the situation is favourable as far as raids are concerned. It has been a great adventure to undertake this play in the middle of a routine army job. Discusses lighting. Hopes that Beaton is enjoying his mission and congratulates him on his escape from disaster.
2p; paper. |
5 Mar. 1944 |
|
2
|
Typescript letter signed to Beaton, from Middlesex. Discusses the play "Crisis in Heaven". The show had a good reception but the critics have raised a 'cloud of controversial dust'. Is going to send Beaton as many criticisms as he can find. Discusses various reviews. Since the show started John has been making various changes. Thinks they gave the best performance yet on the first night in London. Extended discussion of the performances and set of the play. Discusses costumes. Beaton's letter made him long for the time when they could travel again. Has heard that John's new show, "Last of Summer" has been very successful. It opens at "The Phoenix" in two weeks time. After reading the letter through, feels that it is more like an official report than a letter full of gossip. Will write again soon to give more news.
2p; paper. |
15 May 1944 |
|
3
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Brighton. Was pleased to receive Beaton's letter giving news of Matilda's success. Discusses Matilda. Started to write to Matilda last week, but did not get very far, as did not know whether to congratulate or commiserate. Congratulates Beaton on his work on "School for Scandal". Is delighted to hear that the script of "Gainsborough Girls" is being well received. Discusses details of the play. Has had Teddy Rattigan's new play "Adventure Story" on for two weeks. Discusses the merits and faults of the writing and acting in the play. Gives news of various other plays. Writes about the themes in Rattigan's play. Looks forward to seeing Beaton and is sorry to hear that he has a cold. Finds Brighton a nice place to live.
4p; paper. |
23 June 1949 |
|
4
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Thanks Beaton for sending such a magnificent present. Is happy to give Beaton advice without any thought of a business arrangement, as 'one can never be sure of the final result, where plays are concerned'. Hopes that any help he has given Beaton in the past has made a positive contribution to "The Gainsborough Girls". Feels that Beaton will be satisfied with his next draft, as there is no new ground to be covered. Asks Beaton to send him a copy when he returns from America. Would like to collaborate with Beaton on a play when his current one is finished. Discusses various other plays and plans. Finds New York very stimulating. Will keep Beaton up to date with the news.
4p; paper. |
4 Dec. 1950 |
|
5
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Thanks Beaton for his letter and present. Thanks Beaton for his hospitality over the last three months. Was delighted that Greta's visit was 'so full of enchantment'. Will write to Aldrich and Myers. Is anxious to direct the play. Praises Beaton for 'driving on' with "The Gainsborough Girls" throughout all the frustrations and interruptions. Is glad that he is determined to carry on writing plays. Will be ready to come to Reddish on Wednesday if that is what Beaton would like. Mentions Rita Smith.
4p; paper. |
29 Dec. 1951 |
|
6
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Has seen his friend, John Richmond, and is writing to tell Beaton what he thought of "The Gainsborough Girls". He thinks the play is well structured and has charm and humour. The characters are well drawn, apart from Christie and the dialogue is straightforward. But he feels that the story and treatment is lacking in originality. He believes that if a cast of expensive personality actors were engaged, then it would be a success, but if not the show would be dull and uninteresting. Gives Richmond's suggestions for alterations. Relays discussion about which actors would work well. Advises Beaton to value Richmond's opinion, as he is very experienced in every kind of play. Feels that a 'try-out' in summer would be fatal. Is going to get Doreen Dixon to read the play. Spoke to Beaton's mother on the telephone and is taking her to Covent Garden next Tuesday.
4p; paper. |
13 Feb. 1952 |
|
7
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Thanks Beaton for his letter and all the news from New York. Was glad to get the press cutting of "Venus Observed" and is sorry that it is not a success. Wonders what Beaton thinks of the idea of John Merivale playing Angus. Tracked down Doreen Dixon, but she considers herself to be a bad play reader. Has sent it ("The Gainsborough Girls") to Judith Furse and received a report back. She felt that there was a good feeling for the period and that the young characters were interesting. The tea party scene was amusing. Relays Judith's comments on various scenes throughout the play. Details her criticism about scenes and characters in the play. Has been very busy trying to produce three plays at once. Discusses the plays and his difficulties. Has not heard from Bruce York yet, but still feels free to accept any offer he may make. Describes an enjoyable evening he had at the ballet with Beaton's mother. Has no theatre news, but will try to send some cuttings in next letter if anything interesting happens.
6p; paper. |
27 Feb. 1952 |
|
8
|
Autograph letter to Beaton, from London. Thanks Beaton for his letter and for the 'devestating' notice for "Women in Twilight". Wonders how Aldrich and Myers intend to do the play. Feels that it needs a certain style of production to bring it to life. Discusses the American style of production. Feels apprehensive at the choice of Mr and Mrs March playing the painter and his wife. Was glad to hear that Myers thought that the play was greatly improved. Discusses one of his plays. It had its production on Monday and it went well. One of the leading players for "The Cherry Orchard" has had a nervous breakdown. Had his first rehearsal for "The Shadow and the Peak". Discusses other plays. Saw a good play called "The Happy Time".
4p; paper. |
12 Mar. 1952 |
|
9
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Is sending Beaton a book for Christmas as a token. As Beaton enjoyed the biography of Hugh Walpole, he thought Beaton might enjoy this book. Has started to rehearse "Call it a Day" and it is going well. Lockwood's little girl is a good actress. Discusses various plays that he has been to see. There has been a big correspondence in "The Times" about the rights of "Pygmalion". Is sending Greta a small present. Hopes that she is well and happy. Was delighted to hear that Beaton's exhibition was a success.
4p; paper. |
7 Dec. 1956 |
|
10
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Thanks Beaton for his letter. Was pleased to hear that Greta is well. It is a pity that she cannot find something to occupy her mind. Feels that creative people 'who have nothing to do all day but think about themselves' can never be in good health. He sent her a present so that she would know that he hadn't forgotten her this Christmas. Has been to see a lot of shows this Christmas. Discusses the shows that he has been to see. Was pleased to hear from Beaton that John Gielgud is such a success in New York. Has found a new comedy to produce on T.V. Discusses various projects he is working on in the coming year. Is not sure if he will be able to go to Austria for a holiday. Hopes that Beaton's designs for the play are going well. Sends his love to Greta.
4p; paper. |
25 Jan. 1959 |
|
11
|
Autograph postcard signed to Beaton, from Vienna. Is enjoying his holiday in spite of the unsettled weather. Has been looking at the Duder drawings. They are not on display, but he went to the library to see them. Feels that there is 'so much that never comes out in reproduction'.
1p; paper. |
4 June 1959 |
|
12
|
Autograph postcard signed to Beaton, from London. Thanks Beaton for an enjoyable weekend. Reddish house looked really beautiful. The countryside is like champagne. Thanks Beaton for the roses.
1p; paper. |
23 June 1959 |
|
13
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Incomplete letter. Second page missing. Enjoyed the film of "My Fair Lady" enormously. The interiors were 'creative, fresh and unusual'. The costumes were 'a triumph' and with the Ascot scene, Beaton surpassed all that he has done before. It is a pity that Beaton did not get his own way in filming the exteriors on location in London. The general effect of Covent Garden was good, but when it came to detail, the 'real thing would have counted for a great deal'. The treatment of Stanley Holloway's numbers lacked imagination. Rex Harrison was 'superb'.
2p; paper. |
27 Feb. 1965 |
|
14
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Congratulates Beaton on his Knighthood. Discusses how Beaton deserves the Knighthood. Asks if Beaton has a Coat of Arms. Wonders if the College of Heralds will let Beaton design it. Has been reading the lives of the Bishops of Hereford. Their heraldry sounds 'magnificent'. Gives some examples of this. Has been listening to Cathleen Nesbitt talking on the radio about Granville Barker.
2p; paper. |
1 Jan. 1971 |
|
15
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Thanks Beaton for the flowers he sent. Read "Figures in a Landscape" yesterday morning and has been thinking about it ever since. Feels that there is an air of unreality running through the play. Discusses the play further. Feels that the writing should be equal to Beaton's best style and stamped with his 'personal idiom', and does not believe that this play is. Feels that the character, 'G', does not come alive. Discusses the characters further. Feels that this letter sounds depressing, but knows that Beaton wants his honest opinion. Hopes to see Beaton soon.
4p; paper. |
13 May 1974 |
|
16
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Thanks Beaton for the two days in the sun. Thinks that there is no more beautiful garden in England than Reddish. It is praiseworthy that Beaton often makes changes to give new interest. Praises Beaton's water garden. The winter garden is 'more enchanting than ever'. Hopes that Beaton has an enjoyable holiday. Went to see "Oh Lucky Man" yesterday, but did not really enjoy it.
2p; paper. |
16 Aug. 1975 |
|
17
|
Autograph postcard signed to Beaton, from London. It was kind of Beaton to invite him to stay for a few days before he goes into hospital. Is unable to come because he has tickets to see "La Scala" at Covent Garden. He also has to have some medical treatment before going into hospital. Would love to come when it is over. Went to see "Henry V" last night. Praises the performance. Is going to see Osborne's new play this evening.
1p; paper. |
25 Feb. 1976 |
|
18
|
Autograph postcard signed to Beaton, from London. Describes how well the "Artichokes" painting that Beaton gave him looks on the wall of his sitting room. Has recently seen two plays, "Wild Oats" and "Tales from the Vienna Woods". Hopes to see Beaton soon.
1p; paper. |
3 Feb 1977 |
|
19
|
Autograph postcards signed to Beaton. Thanks Beaton for a lovely week. Was glad to hear David Cecil's talk on Virginia Woolf. Encloses two cuttings from last Sunday's "Observer". A notice about Lord Rothschild and an account of Peter Brook's company, who are making a film in the Sahara desert. Discusses Peter Brook's project. Expresses scepticism. Travelled to London with Marie-Auna-Martin. Praises her conversation. Thanks Beaton for flowers.
2p; paper. |
21 Sep. 1977 |
|
20
|
Autograph postcard signed to Beaton, from Brighton. Forgot to tell Beaton how splendid the portrait of David Wanner looked in the gallery at Stratford. The décor for "Don Giovanni" was 'the most offensive I have ever seen in any theatre'.
1p; paper. |
1960–1977 |
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