Papers of Sir Cecil Beaton

Beaton showed him her letter [A3/1/69]. If the statement to Equity is not a privileged communication, Weissberger agrees with Milmo that it shouldn't be sent, as Beaton would risk an action for libel. Beaton could tone down the document and send it to Minster to present to the Council of Theatre Managers in London. "Virtual blackmail" could be changed to "indirect pressure". Beaton is afraid however that Minster will be half-hearted about this. He wishes to do his utmost to expose Wolfit's misconduct to the public. Weissberger suggests suing for damages so that the press would report it. Mr Brendan Smith of the Dublin International Theatre Festival is reported in the Irish Independent of Sep. 22 to have said that Wolfit's statements made people think that the play was bad "with the result that many stayed away". Although Beaton wants to see Wolfit dealt with he does not want to involve himself in extravagant expenditures.