Beatrix was only only 20 when wrote this story for The Sketch. It started off as a fairly typical historical romance of yesteryear. A young French exile living poor with her father, falling in love with a sailor and then being pursued by an unwanted rich suitor. But it had some truly wonderful moments in it. When Beatrix gave the descriptions of how the woman had been betrayed by her father for money, how she'd been sold, there was a great feeling of feminist indignation.
"She looked at him She looked at him snivelling and pleading, thinking only of his wish come true, ready to sacrifice his daughter who had stood by him unquestioning and faithful, and her heart was filled with a cold pity that froze the first beating of fear that had struck her.
"Tina, you would be well off... he is rich. Tina, what do you say... speak."
Money-always money. He thought to dazzle her into consenting by a tale of the doctor's wealth. That man who withheld succour from the poor, who would work his wife like a servant; and his eyes...
Tina remembered now how he had looked at her and a wave of horror surged across her senses. She rose unsteadily and went to the window where the fresh evening air rippled in. Her nerves were so on edge that her thoughts were exaggerated and made twenty times more frightening. Her father had sold her, sold her body for a few paltry pounds so that a dream might be realised."
After that it plunges into tragedy, a drunken orgy and a skeleton falling into the sea! Wonderful stuff!
Thursday, 12 February 2015
Wednesday, 11 February 2015
Top Dogs from Our Time
This is part of an article that Beatrix wrote about the history and current state of the theatre for Our Time, the socialist/communist journal that she edited from 1941- I just loved how poetic and depressing this got...
"The faint stars gleam through the bomb-split roof of the
stage. The old play-bills dissolve in dust down the green room walls. A mouse
pops out of the hero’s wig and trickles away under the heroine’s empty hanging
skirts. The rotted ribbon on the rapier breaks and down it falls, setting the
whole armoury to jangling and tinkling. A fiddle-string parts with a muted
twang. Away, up the sky, swings the beam of a searchlight, lengthening,
searching, searching… bedding and shortening, till a huge arc splashes on the
empty gallery benches, moves down past the grey dust of the circle, opening out
in a silver flood, for one second, over the stalls. Row behind row, they sit,
bones gleaming through shredded evening dresses, medals askew on arched ribs,
feathers moulting and diamonds, still as clear as water, slithering from
polished skulls. The empty eye-sockets are set upon nothingness, the grinning
teeth laid bare. The light snaps off and throws back the night. The wind gives
one last bang on the box-office window and the little mouse, scared, plops
through a hole in the big drum".
Tuesday, 10 February 2015
Short stories and articles at the British Library
Yesterday I went to the BL to read the short stories of Beatrix that were in periodicals there. I only managed to read half of what I had ordered, and took photos of the rest but haven't read them yet.
This was my first impressions on reading the stories.
This was my first impressions on reading the stories.
Liliput Dec 1943
London's
cat communities
3 pages with sketches of cats
Different habits of wild cats on the streets of London. Odd as I always thought she was a dog person but very sweet. While a very light-hearted piece it highlights the economic differences between the different parts of London.
New Writings Spring 1938
The two thousand pound raspberry.
A short story about a days filming, very realistic and seems
to be taken from real life. All about a car scene where they have to
film it live and then with a backdrop but ended up being cut from the final film. It really created the idea of how much pressure and how many people are involved in a film production, and ultimately how it can be a total waste of time. It was the longest of the stories and I wasn't able to type it out.
Liliput July 38 also has a short story by Viertel in it,
about a woman who shoots her husband cause he is having an affair, then
realises how much her son looks like her husband, only one page
Dec 38 also has another short story by him entitle Hollywood marriage between two of the workers in a production.
Liliput Jan 42
Christmas in Germany by Beatrix was part of a series called, "The foulest Christmas I ever had".
Other writers in that section were; Arthur Koestler, Lord Berners, Dean of Canterbury, Beatrix Lehmann and Rex Harrison. I think it worth noting that Beatrix was once again the only woman, and was in some fairly illustrious company for the time.
The piece tells how she was stuck in a lodging alone in Germany and miserable on Christmas day. (It is worth noting that she was 30 at the time of the story). One can't help but wonder where Christopher Isherwood was at the time, especially as he reported that the two of them spent that New Year's Eve together and had such a wonderful time chatting that they missed the countdown for the new year! Which makes me think that the image of her totally friendless and poor in a foreign country on her own may be slightly exaggerated to make a better story. Definitely something that would be interesting to check with her letters home from that time. But my favourite part of the story was when she went to visit another actress only to discover that the actress had been dead drunk for two weeks and had attempted suicide the day before.
Lilliput November 38
The dog act
Was another humorous story that undercut class assumptions. In this case a posh lady was horrified by the treatment of performing dogs that she saw in the music hall and decided to rescue the poor creatures and give them a home. She was totally oblivious to the fact that their owner cared for them deeply, and that they likewise cared for him and enjoyed the activities of their performance. It had a great line about actors being different to all other types of humans. It was very cute and sweet.
One thing that struck me while reading these stories was how light and humourous they were. Beatrix's novels were so full of depression and lonely people unable to connect with the world and the stories were very fluffy in comparison. I think it was good to be able to read the stories to get that balance between the two very different types of writing.
The other thing that I managed to read was the opening address for the Women's Parliament. The pamphlet had a great photo of Beatrix on the cover mid-oration and reproduced the speech in full. It was very interesting to read, and to see all the resolutions that the women wanted passed at the time, working conditions and child care and equal pay with men. Also the impact of the war on women's lives was very much in evidence. I was pleased that Beatrix had been involved in the campaign and so interested in women's rights.
When copying out the stories I realised that they are still in copyright so can't be reproduced in full. But as her whole immediate family is dead, as is everyone mention in her will and her sister's children, who didn't leave any children of their own I have no idea who would be the copyright holders now.
Material at Princeton
This is a more detailed description of the material Princeton holds.
I went through the Lehmann Family Papers (C0746) boxes requested for Melanie Strong, for materials related to Beatrix Lehmann.
Box 83, Folder 3: Family, Trusts, Lehmann, Beatrix, 1962-1979
Folder 4: Family, Trusts, Lehmann, Beatrix, 1980-1982
Folder 5: Family, Trusts, Lehmann, Beatrix, 1983-1991
These
materials relate to Beatrix’s death, which includes copies of her will,
insurance documents, documents related to her estate, taxes, and
royalties. The documents and letters are addressed to her brother John
Lehmann. These three folders
consist of 50% of the box and are about 300 pages.
Box 94, Folder 4: Lehmann, Beatrix, dates not examined
Folder 5: Lehmann, Beatrix, dates not examined
Folder 6: Lehmann, Beatrix, dates not examined
Folder 7: Lehmann, Beatrix – photos by Angus McBean, dates not examined
These
four folders contain photographs of Beatrix, which include headshots
and photos from productions. These photos account for 50% of the box and
consist of about 150-200 photos.
Box 137, Folder 4: Lehmann, Beatrix, 1908-1920
Folder 5: Lehmann, Beatrix, 1921
Folder 6: Lehmann, Beatrix, 1924
Folder 7: Lehmann, Beatrix, 1925-1927
Folder 8: Lehmann, Beatrix, 1932-1953
These
letters are written by Beatrix to her mother. The subjects of these
letters include accounts of her days, certain productions, and her
travels. These letters account for 70% of the box and are roughly
225-275 pages.
Box 92, Folder Document Lehmann, Beaxtrix:
Diploma, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London, 1932
Box 128, Folder 11: Lehmann, Beatrix, dates not examined
This folder consists to two letters written by Beatrix to her father.
Box 145, Folders 1-12
The contents of this entire box are related to Beatrix. The documents
include writings and drawings (both loose and bound), memorabilia play
bills, a proposed biography by Trader Faulkner, newspaper articles,
miscellaneous correspondence,
and other documents, such as her baptism certificate.
Thursday, 5 February 2015
1911 Census
It always amuses me how Beatrix's family is described in her sibling's biographies as being "middle class" with her father working as a writer.
The 1911 census shows 8 servants living at the house:
A governess, a butler, a cook, a footman, a nurse, two housemaids and a kitchen maid.
Now that is hardly what I would consider "middle class".
The 1911 census shows 8 servants living at the house:
A governess, a butler, a cook, a footman, a nurse, two housemaids and a kitchen maid.
Now that is hardly what I would consider "middle class".
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
Rudolf
Chambers Lehmann
|
|
Age in 1911:
|
55
|
|
Estimated birth year:
|
abt 1856
|
|
Relation to Head:
|
Head
|
|
Gender:
|
Male
|
|
Birth Place:
|
Sheffield, Yorkshire, England
|
|
Civil Parish:
|
Wooburn Hedsor
|
|
County/Island:
|
Buckinghamshire
|
|
Country:
|
England
|
|
Street address:
|
Fieldhead,
Bourne End, Bucks
|
|
Marital Status:
|
Married
|
|
Occupation:
|
Writer And
Journalist
|
|
Name:
|
Alice Marie
Lehmann
|
|
Age in 1911:
|
38
|
|
Estimated birth year:
|
abt 1873
|
|
Relation to Head:
|
Wife
|
|
Gender:
|
Female
|
|
Birth Place:
|
U S America, United States
|
|
Civil Parish:
|
Wooburn Hedsor
|
|
County/Island:
|
Buckinghamshire
|
|
Country:
|
England
|
|
Street address:
|
Fieldhead,
Bourne End, Bucks
|
|
Marital Status:
|
Married
|
|
Years Married:
|
12
|
|
Estimated Marriage Year:
|
1899
|
|
Name:
|
Helen Chambers
Lehmann
|
|
Age in 1911:
|
11
|
|
Estimated birth year:
|
abt 1900
|
|
Relation to Head:
|
Daughter
|
|
Gender:
|
Female
|
|
Birth Place:
|
Wooburn, Buckinghamshire, England
|
|
Name:
|
Rosamond Nina
Lehmann
|
|
Age in 1911:
|
10
|
|
Estimated birth year:
|
abt 1901
|
|
Relation to Head:
|
Daughter
|
|
Gender:
|
Female
|
|
Birth Place:
|
Wooburn, Buckinghamshire, England
|
|
Name:
|
Beatrix Alice
Lehmann
|
|
Age in 1911:
|
7
|
|
Estimated birth year:
|
abt 1904
|
|
Relation to Head:
|
Daughter
|
|
Gender:
|
Female
|
|
Birth Place:
|
Wooburn, Buckinghamshire, England
|
|
Name:
|
Rudolf John
Frederick Lehmann
|
|
Age in 1911:
|
3
|
|
Estimated birth year:
|
abt 1908
|
|
Relation to Head:
|
Son
|
|
Gender:
|
Male
|
|
Birth Place:
|
Wooburn, Buckinghamshire, England
|
|
Name:
|
Maria Felicite
Jacquemin
|
|
Age in 1911:
|
33
|
|
Estimated birth year:
|
abt 1878
|
|
Relation to Head:
|
Childrens
Government
|
|
Gender:
|
Female
|
|
Birth Place:
|
Belgium Resident, Belgium,
Belgium
|
|
Civil Parish:
|
Wooburn Hedsor
|
|
County/Island:
|
Buckinghamshire
|
|
Country:
|
England
|
|
Street address:
|
Fieldhead,
Bourne End, Bucks
|
|
Marital Status:
|
Single
|
|
Occupation:
|
Teacher
|
|
Name:
|
James Edmund
Green
|
|
Age in 1911:
|
66
|
|
Estimated birth year:
|
abt 1845
|
|
Relation to Head:
|
Servant
|
|
Birth Place:
|
Wolverhampton,
Staffordshire, England
|
|
Civil Parish:
|
Wooburn Hedsor
|
|
County/Island:
|
Buckinghamshire
|
|
Country:
|
England
|
|
Street address:
|
Fieldhead,
Bourne End, Bucks
|
|
Marital Status:
|
Married
|
|
Occupation:
|
Butler
|
|
Name:
|
William
Charles Eason
|
|
Age in 1911:
|
21
|
|
Estimated birth year:
|
abt 1890
|
|
Relation to Head:
|
Servant
|
|
Birth Place:
|
Halloway, London, England
|
|
Civil Parish:
|
Wooburn Hedsor
|
|
County/Island:
|
Buckinghamshire
|
|
Country:
|
England
|
|
Street address:
|
Fieldhead,
Bourne End, Bucks
|
|
Marital Status:
|
Single
|
|
Occupation:
|
Footman
|
|
Name:
|
Julia Darville
|
|
Age in 1911:
|
33
|
|
Estimated birth year:
|
abt 1878
|
|
Relation to Head:
|
Servant
|
|
Gender:
|
Female
|
|
Birth Place:
|
Kimble, Buckinghamshire, England
|
|
Civil Parish:
|
Wooburn Hedsor
|
|
County/Island:
|
Buckinghamshire
|
|
Country:
|
England
|
|
Street address:
|
Fieldhead,
Bourne End, Bucks
|
|
Marital Status:
|
Single
|
|
Occupation:
|
Nurse
|
|
Name:
|
Rhoda Annie
Kempton
|
|
Age in 1911:
|
22
|
|
Estimated birth year:
|
abt 1889
|
|
Relation to Head:
|
Servant
|
|
Gender:
|
Female
|
|
Birth Place:
|
Basingstoke, Hampshire, England
|
|
Civil Parish:
|
Wooburn Hedsor
|
|
County/Island:
|
Buckinghamshire
|
|
Country:
|
England
|
|
Street address:
|
Fieldhead,
Bourne End, Bucks
|
|
Marital Status:
|
Single
|
|
Occupation:
|
Cook
|
|
Name:
|
Edith Helen
Miles
|
|
Age in 1911:
|
26
|
|
Estimated birth year:
|
abt 1885
|
|
Relation to Head:
|
Servant
|
|
Gender:
|
Female
|
|
Birth Place:
|
Wantage, Berkshire, England
|
|
Civil Parish:
|
Wooburn Hedsor
|
|
County/Island:
|
Buckinghamshire
|
|
Country:
|
England
|
|
Street address:
|
Fieldhead,
Bourne End, Bucks
|
|
Marital Status:
|
Single
|
|
Occupation:
|
Housemaid
|
|
Name:
|
Winifred
Gertrude Collyer
|
|
Age in 1911:
|
23
|
|
Estimated birth year:
|
abt 1888
|
|
Relation to Head:
|
Servant
|
|
Gender:
|
Female
|
|
Birth Place:
|
N K, Sussex, England
|
|
Civil Parish:
|
Wooburn Hedsor
|
|
County/Island:
|
Buckinghamshire
|
|
Country:
|
England
|
|
Street address:
|
Fieldhead,
Bourne End, Bucks
|
|
Marital Status:
|
Single
|
|
Occupation:
|
Kitchen Maid
|
|
Name:
|
Mabel Edith Lane
|
|
Age in 1911:
|
22
|
|
Estimated birth year:
|
abt 1889
|
|
Relation to Head:
|
Servant
|
|
Gender:
|
Female
|
|
Birth Place:
|
Maidenhead, Berkshire, England
|
|
Civil Parish:
|
Wooburn Hedsor
|
|
County/Island:
|
Buckinghamshire
|
|
Country:
|
England
|
|
Street address:
|
Fieldhead,
Bourne End, Bucks
|
|
Marital Status:
|
Single
|
|
Occupation:
|
Housemaid
|
|
Name:
|
Amelia Barey
Pain
[Amelia Barry Pain] |
|
Age in 1911:
|
45
|
|
Estimated birth year:
|
abt 1866
|
|
Relation to Head:
|
Cousin Visitor
(Cousin)
|
|
Gender:
|
Female
|
|
Birth Place:
|
Italy, Italy
|
|
Civil Parish:
|
Wooburn Hedsor
|
|
County/Island:
|
Buckinghamshire
|
|
Country:
|
England
|
|
Street address:
|
Fieldhead,
Bourne End, Bucks
|
|
Marital Status:
|
Married
|
Tuesday, 3 February 2015
Beatrix's novels
But Wisdom Lingers
I was lucky enough to find a greatly reduced copy of this book. Beatrix wrote two novels, one that has been reprinted many times about a solider whose suffering PTSD, the other about a lesbian/bisexual woman mourning her lost love, which only had one edition. This book was simply wonderful. It reminded me of the writing of Evelyn Waugh and Christopher Isherwood. It was about the desperation of life for the "Bright young things". How depression can hit you out of nowhere. How life is about loss. How sometimes the thing you are looking for turns out most unexpectedly. There were some very wonderful passages about sexuality, depression and loss. The way she writes and her style is just lovely. I'm really glad I was able to find a copy.
Rumour of Heaven
I just adored this. The writing style was so lush and beautiful. It was a book where everyone was depressed, where everyone was odd and had a hard time understanding other people at all. There were children who had a mother with mental illness who killed herself that were trying to cope with life. Men who had returned from the First World War, scarred and broken. All together in a tumbled down country setting, where things should have been beautiful but were just a mess and couldn't make the connections that were needed for anyone to heal. It had some of the most beautiful passages about depression and suicide that I've read in a long time.
I'm really glad I bought a lovely old copy of this and have managed to find the other book that Beatrix wrote. For a long time I just thought of her as "That actress who was playing the lesbian in Stones of Blood" but then I found out she really was a lesbian, had partied with Christopher Isherwood in Berlin in the 30s, and written two novels. She seems like a remarkable woman and I'm so glad I was able to get my hands on her books.
I was lucky enough to find a greatly reduced copy of this book. Beatrix wrote two novels, one that has been reprinted many times about a solider whose suffering PTSD, the other about a lesbian/bisexual woman mourning her lost love, which only had one edition. This book was simply wonderful. It reminded me of the writing of Evelyn Waugh and Christopher Isherwood. It was about the desperation of life for the "Bright young things". How depression can hit you out of nowhere. How life is about loss. How sometimes the thing you are looking for turns out most unexpectedly. There were some very wonderful passages about sexuality, depression and loss. The way she writes and her style is just lovely. I'm really glad I was able to find a copy.
Rumour of Heaven
I just adored this. The writing style was so lush and beautiful. It was a book where everyone was depressed, where everyone was odd and had a hard time understanding other people at all. There were children who had a mother with mental illness who killed herself that were trying to cope with life. Men who had returned from the First World War, scarred and broken. All together in a tumbled down country setting, where things should have been beautiful but were just a mess and couldn't make the connections that were needed for anyone to heal. It had some of the most beautiful passages about depression and suicide that I've read in a long time.
I'm really glad I bought a lovely old copy of this and have managed to find the other book that Beatrix wrote. For a long time I just thought of her as "That actress who was playing the lesbian in Stones of Blood" but then I found out she really was a lesbian, had partied with Christopher Isherwood in Berlin in the 30s, and written two novels. She seems like a remarkable woman and I'm so glad I was able to get my hands on her books.
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