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| Costume Tiara Cecil Beaton, 1958 The Victoria & Albert Museum |
This costume tiara was made for the character of the “Queen of Transylvania” (as played by Margaret
Halstan) in the London production of the musical “My Fair Lady,” at the Theatre
Royal, Drury Lane. The show opened on
April 30, 1958.
Based on George Bernard Shaw's play “Pygmalion,” the music
for the famous musical was composed by Frederick Lowe, and the book and lyrics
were by Alan Jay Lerner. The production was directed by Moss Hart (husband of
my dear Kitty
Carlisle Hart), the sets were designed by Oliver Smith, and the costumes
were designed by the celebrated photographer Cecil Beaton.
This bears a label for Margaret Halstan, who played the Queen throughout most of the London run for My Fair Lady. This is one of several tiaras designed for Halstan for the production. Photographs from the show indicate different sixed crowns of different weights, allowing the actress flexibility in what she wore each night. A silversmith made the tiaras, set with fine pastes, based on Beaton’s detailed designs.
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