Collection of letters to Edith Evans

A collection of letters, correspondence include written to Edith Hargreaves, better known as Edith Evans, from Sir Michael Redgrave (box 1) and various other actors including Sir Laurence Olivier, Violet Lorraine and John Gielgud. Also includes press cuttings, photographs and postcards.

Edith Evans (1888-1976) was a British film and theatre actress. Her career spanned over sixty years. She was twice nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and once nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. Some of her notable performances include Millamant in The Way of the World (1924), Rosalind in As You Like It (1926 and 1936), Nurse in Romeo and Juliet (1932, 1934 and 1961) and Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest (1939).

Sir Michael Redgrave (1908-1985) was a British film and theatre actor. He was the son of Roy Redgrave a silent film actor career, and Margaret Scudamore also an actress. Michael married actress Rachel Kempson in 1935, also an actress. They had three children Vanessa, Corin and Lynn all of which are actors. Michael’s career spanned over forty years and includes notable performances on stage and in film such as: The Importance of Being Ernest (1952) Oh! What a Lovely War (1969), and As You Like It (1936). This is where he played Orlando to Edith Evans’s Rosalind and the two began their affair. He was a member of the RSC and the Old Vic. He was awarded a CBE in 1952.

This collection has been arranged into the following series:

• THM/13/1 - Letters from Sir Michael Redgrave to Edith Evans
• THM/13/2 - Articles and correspondence sent to Edith Evans
• THM/13/3 - Letters from Violet Lorraine to Edith Evans
• THM/13/4 - Photographs and postcards of Edith Evans

This archive collection is available for consultation in the V&A Blythe House Archive and Library Study Room by appointment only. Full details of access arrangements may be found here: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/archives/.

Access to some of the material may be restricted. These are noted in the catalogue where relevant.

Gift, 2001.

The following item was also part of this collection but has been integrated into the department's object collections:

• Fan programme of Malvern Festival, 1932. (Museum refernce number: S.2055-2014)

Information on copying and commercial reproduction may be found here: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/archives/.

This collection was appraised in line with the collection management policy.

No further accruals are expected.

See also the core collections of the V&A Department of Theatre and Performance. Material relating to Edith Evans, Sir Michael Redgrave and others may be found in several collections, including the biographical, productions, company and photographs files.

Other collections held by the V&A Department of Theatre and Performance, which hold related materials, include:

• THM/31 - Sir Michael Redgrave Archive
• THM/291 - Collection of Research material on Edith Evans, actress

Please ask for details.