Papers of Sir Cecil Beaton

Has now a stage-worthy script of the Gainsborough Girls. Him, Aldrich and Myers want to put the play on in April. Glenville is not free before June as he has to stay for "Romeo and Juliet" with Olivia de Havilland so they asked Peter Brook instead, but he is busy too. They met Marianne Davis who promised they could have the Duke of York's Theatre for the opening if they are ready soon. Beaton feels Gainsborough should not be played by a star as "it is really a play about the two daughters and their love affair with Angus." He discusses potential actors (H. Griffith, H. Horden, Laurence Hardy) and directors (Glen Byam Shaw, Frith Banbury, Peter Potter, Ken Tynan). Beaton is very anxious not to delay the play any further and slightly worried about Aldrich and Myers. He decided to make the decor for the City Centre Ballet of Swan Lake.