University of Texas at Austin

Bryan Forbes:

An Inventory of His Collection of Edith Evans at the Harry Ransom Center

Creator: Forbes, Bryan, 1926-2013
Title: Bryan Forbes Collection of Edith Evans
Dates: 1923-2001
Extent: 2 document boxes, 3 custom boxes, 1 oversize box (osb) (4.4 linear feet)
Abstract: 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.
Call Number: Performing Arts Collection PA-0401
Language: English
Access: Open for research; access to personal effects requires an appointment in advance.


Administrative Information


Acquisition: Purchase, 2016 (15-07-023-P)
Processed by: Elizabeth E. Preston, 2016
Repository:

Harry Ransom Center, The University of Texas at Austin

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.

Related Material


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.

Separated Material


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."

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