THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Friday [5th August 1949]

My Dear

I went to Cambridge yesterday, a perfect day & the country especially the cornfields looking lovely – Carr¹ was my guest – The highlight of show² was Carr’s guest Anne Keynes who ravished my heart in a filmy quite transparent tunic with sleeves attached to the wrists & when she lifted her arms it was most alluring – she also, by the way, sang charmingly – the singers & playing pretty good – but I won’t have Mr P Cresswell to produce P.P.³
I do hope all goes well with you & the play since – are you having these lovely days for it. All goes well here – Beagley⁴ on holiday next week.
All love my dear

RVW

1.  Rosamond Carr.
2.  Purcell’s King Arthur was playing all week at the Cambridge Arts Theatre, Peas Hill, Cambridge, as part of the 1949 Cambridge Summer Festival. On Thursday the 4th it was a 2.30 matinee. John Maynard Keynes had founded that theatre in 1936; Anne Pinsent Keynes was married to Richard Darwin Keynes, whose parents were cousins of John Maynard Keynes.
3.  Writing to her sister, Cordelia, AVW said “R so enjoyed Cambridge – he and Carr were were the guests of Patrick Hadley for lunch in the Theatre restaurant – roast chicken and a Coupe Jacque and iced cider. The “King Arthur” had its faults but while a young Mrs Keynes was on the stage all were forgotten – R was ravished by her loveliness – She was a daughter of the Adrians [Lord and Lady Adrian], Carr’s friends, so that was an interest for Carr too as the family were there …”
4.  The VW’s chauffeur.