Cecil Beaton's family archive on show at intimate exhibition on the Hawarden Estate
For the Beaton obsessed – which such intimate access to this treasure trove could well make you – there's the opportunity to spend hours poring over the accumulated objects: an album of Cecil's favourite photos of Nancy, given to her husband as a wedding present; original sketches for My Fair Lady; paintings…. But there's much else to look at besides in the West End and on the wider estate and village.
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Evening Standard
6 days ago
- Evening Standard
Cecil Beaton's family archive on show at intimate exhibition on the Hawarden Estate
For the Beaton obsessed – which such intimate access to this treasure trove could well make you – there's the opportunity to spend hours poring over the accumulated objects: an album of Cecil's favourite photos of Nancy, given to her husband as a wedding present; original sketches for My Fair Lady; paintings…. But there's much else to look at besides in the West End and on the wider estate and village.
Spectator
04-06-2025
- Spectator
Why you didn't want to get on the wrong side of Cecil Beaton
'Remember, Roy, white flowers are the only chic ones.' So Cecil Beaton remarked to Roy Strong, possibly as a mild put-down to the young curator. But it was a curious put-down to make because Beaton broke his own rule happily, buying mountainous armfuls of speckled yellow, pink and scarlet carnations at Covent Garden and longing to fill his borders with Korean chrysanthemums and purple salvias. This small exhibition at the Garden Museum enjoys the sweet-pea surface of Beaton's creations, while giving a flash of the glinting secateur that also made up such an important part of his personality. Beaton's ability as an image-maker was astounding. Those famous photos of his Cambridge days with the Bright Young Things are still outrageous, a mad foray into camp pastoral. In a huge bromide print from 1927 of Rex Whistler strumming a lute in a melancholy grove, every leaf seems to sigh. We're not altogether surprised to learn that Beaton left St John's, Cambridge, without a degree, but a glittering career clearly beckoned. Stage design, photography, floristry, costume: he did them all. He was a ruthlessly flattering photographer, making Wallis Simpson look positively vulnerable (a lonely wee thing against a big, wild wood), and he became sought after to the extent that he was also invited to photograph the Queen in 1939. He reached always towards elegance and fantasy, using blooms to garnish and garland. He was a master of allusion, adding an ear of corn to a country posy or using angel's trumpets (Brugmansia) to create an ethereal atmosphere around the model Penelope Tree. Of course Beaton loved flowers; he delivered beauty with a capital B.
South Wales Argus
03-06-2025
- South Wales Argus
Caerleon's Arts Festival celebrates its 23rd year in 2025
The festival runs form July 3 to July 13. Actor Joe Rooney, who played Father Damian in the priest parody, will present a Father Ted celebration at St Cadoc's Church on Monday, July 7. William Byrne, one of the festival's organisers, says the festival can only grow and help boost culture in south Wales. The festival is now in its 23rd year. Father Ted, a much-loved comedy show is famous for lampooning priests and the Catholic Church. A callow youth, Fr Damian is something of a parody of the Catholic patron saint of Lepers. Rather than avoiding life outside of holy orders, Fr Damian is a fashion-obsessed, shallow and naïve young man who has delusions of coolness. Father Ted was one of the biggest sitcoms of the 1990s. Other attractions at the festival include From Page to Stage, with various performers reprising musicals that were inspired by literature. The celebrations will include performances from Westside Story, My Fair Lady and Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera. The musical tributes will also be held at St Cadoc's Church. West Side Story is based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Les Miserable is based on Victor Hugo's book of the same name, My Fair Lady is based on George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion and Phantom of the Opera is based on Gaston Leroux's novel of the same name. There will be all genres of music from jazz and rock to male voice choirs. There will also be comedy, musicals and chats with local authors. Male voice choir and Shakespeare performances will be held at the Amphitheatre. Other venues include local pubs such as The Hanbury Arms. Events and ticketing information can be found at Caerleon Festival or From Page to Stage - Caerleon Festival
