Collection Summary
Harry Ransom Center, The University of Texas at Austin
Forbes, Bryan, 1926-2013
Bryan Forbes Collection of Edith
Evans
1923-2001
2 document boxes, 3 custom boxes, 1 oversize box (osb) (4.4 linear
feet)
The Bryan Forbes Collection of Edith
Evans contains Forbes’ correspondence with and about Edith Evans, which Forbes used
in writing his biography of her. It also contains Evans’ correspondence, diaries,
memorabilia, and photographs.
English
Performing Arts Collection
PA-0401
Acquisition:
Purchase, 2016 (15-07-023-P)
Access:
Open for research; access to personal effects requires an appointment in advance.
Processed by:
Elizabeth E. Preston, 2016
Biographical Sketch
Dame Edith Evans (1888-1976) was one of the most distinguished actresses of the
British stage and screen. Known particularly for her classical performances of
Elizabethan and Restoration comedies, she also originated roles in several major
works of contemporary playwrights like George Bernard Shaw. Notable film credits
include
The Importance of Being Earnest (1952),
The Nun’s Story (1959), and The Whisperers (1967). Evans died on October 14, 1976 at
the age of 88.
Bryan Forbes (1926-2013) began his career as a film actor before focusing his career
on screenwriting and directing. He directed Evans in two films –
The Whisperers and The Madwoman
of Chaillot (1969) and became a close friend. Evans named Forbes her
official biographer before she died, and a great deal of Forbes’ collection was
given to him by Evans in order to write this book. The result, Ned’s Girl: The Life of Edith Evans, was published in
1977. Forbes died on May 8, 2013 at the age of 86.
Scope and Contents
The Bryan Forbes Collection of Edith Evans contains correspondence, diaries,
manuscripts, and photographs that document the career of Dame Edith Evans. Bryan
Forbes, British film director, writer, and producer, collected some of the material
as he researched and produced a televised profile of Evans in 1973 and published a
biography of her in 1977.
Much of the correspondence is between Evans and Forbes in the last few years of her
life. The two corresponded regularly as personal friends and as professional
collaborators on film and biographical projects. Also included is a letter to Evans
from George Bernard Shaw dated 17 September 1923. It features a drawing of Evans as
the Serpent, one of her roles in Shaw’s five-play series
Back
to Methuselah. Other correspondents include drama critic H. R. Barbor,
actors Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies and John Gielgud, and social fixture Stephen Tennant.
Additional correspondence can be found in the scrapbooks, which are not accounted
for in the list of correspondents at the end of this guide. Scrapbooks dated
1944-1956 contain letters and holiday cards from leading theatre professionals of
the day including Nöel Coward and Laurence Olivier, along with memorabilia and
ephemera.
In addition to correspondence, the collection includes three of Evans’ diaries,
material about the publication of
Ned’s Girl: The Life of
Edith Evans, Forbes’ biography of Evans, bound editions of his memorial
address for Evans’ funeral, and photographs. Many of the photographs are portraits
of Evans as an actor, and capture her in costume for her roles. Some were taken
during rehearsals while she is performing. There are also portraits taken later in
Evans’ life, likely as part of production of the televised profile in 1973.
Other Evans materials at the Ransom Center include the Edith Evans Papers and the
Henry Hurford Janes Collection of Edith Evans. Additional materials relating to
Evans can be found in several other collections at the Ransom Center, including the
papers of Frith Banbury, Chris Castor, Basil Langton, Gloria Swanson, Donald Wolfit,
and Stark Young. The B. J. Simmons Collection has costume designs for productions in
which Evans performed, and the photography collection of George Bernard Shaw
includes photos of Evans.
Published volumes were transferred to the Ransom Center Library and are listed in the
University of Texas Library Catalog .
Materials transferred to the Ransom Center’s Personal Effects Collection include:
figurine by Agatha Walker of Evans as Mrs. Sullen in George Farquhar’s
The Beaux’ Stratagem; Hollywood Foreign Press
Association Golden Globe award, Best Actress in a Drama, 1967-1968; Internationale
Filmfestspiele Berlin award, 1967; Society of Film and Television Arts, British Film
Academy Award for Best British Actress, 1967; Variety Club of Great Britain Award to
Dame Edith Evans, 1967; and a wooden cutout of Dame Edith Evans in Tiger Cats.
Container List
1.1
Agreement, Bryan Forbes, Ltd., 1975
1.2
Cards, undated, 1954
1.3
Clippings, 1955-1976
Correspondence
Edith Evans
1.4
George Bernard Shaw, 1923
1.5-1.9
General, undated, 1924-1976
Bryan Forbes
1.10-1.11
Gielgud, John, 1977-1999
1.12
Kempson, Rachel, 1977
1.13
Publication of Ned’s Girl,
1977, 2000
1.14
Theatre Museum, 2001
1.15
Daphne Laureola (presentation copy),
by James Bridie
1.16
Descriptions of Evans, undated
1.17-2.1
Diary (Edith Evans), 1948-1949; 1967
2.2
Dictionary of National Biography, Dame Edith Evans entry,
1981
6.3
Drawings and caricatures, undated, 1924
2.3
Estate of Edith Evans (Edith Mary Booth), 1974-2001
2.4
Funeral Program, Edith Evans, 1976
2.5
Funeral Program, Eric Portman, 1976
2.6
Gatehouse auction booklet, 1955
2.7-2.8
Memorial address for Edith Evans, given by Bryan Forbes (5
copies), 10 December 1976
2.9
National Registration Act card, 1915
2.10
Ned’s Girl, draft excerpt,
1977
2.11
Ned’s Girl, reviews,
1977
2.12-2.13*
Photographs (*oversize materials removed to box 6)
2.14
Play programs, 1910, 1951
2.15
Poetry, undated
2.16
Profile of Edith Evans, The Times (draft and published version),
5 March 1973
6.1
Royal Shakespeare Theatre program
2.17
Transcript of Bryan Forbes’ tribute to Edith Evans, broadcast on
BBC Radio Four, 5 November 1976
6.2
TV Times article (My Friend, Dame
Edith: Through the Eyes of Bryan Forbes) about Forbes’
television special on Evans, 1973
3
Scrapbook, 1944-1948
4
Scrapbook, 1949-1952
5
Scrapbook, 1953-1956
6
Oversize material
Index of Correspondents
- Barbor, H. R. (Herbert Reginald)--1.5
- Bradbrook, M. C. (Muriel Clara)--1.7
- Ffrangcon-Davies, Gwen--1.5, 1.6
- Gielgud, John--1.10, 1.11
- Jones, Dedwydd--1.9
- Kempson, Rachel--1.12
- Komisarjevsky, Theodore--1.6
- Laughlin, Michael S.--1.7
- Nicholson, Nigel--1.14
- Shaw, Bernard--1.5
- Sheldo, Ronald--1.7
- Tennant, Stephen--3