Martita Hunt Collection

These files contain scrapbooks, cuttings, photographs, prompt scripts, correspondence and other personal items and ephemera belonging to the stage and screen actress Martita Hunt.

Born in Argentina in 1900, Martita Hunt made her first stage appearance in the 1920s with the Liverpool Repertory Company, before going on to work in the West End. She joined the Old Vic in 1929, where she played many roles from Lady Macbeth to Rosalind. She returned to work in the West End in the 1930s although her first major success in a leading role was in America in Jean Giraudoux's The Madwoman of Chaillot. She also appeared in many films, notably as Miss Havisham in David Lean's 1946 version of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations. Fame eluded her until 1948, when she was asked to play the lead in the Broadway production of The Madwoman of Chaillot. Her performance (also her Broadway debut) won her a Tony award. Hunt died in 1969 at her home in London.

This collection has been organised into the following series:

• THM/132/1 - Scrapbooks
• THM/132/2 - Review cuttings
• THM/132/3 - Photographs
• THM/132/4 - Prompt scripts
• THM/132/5 - Correspondence
• THM/132/6 - Personal items and ephemera

This archive collection is available for consultation in the V&A Blythe House Archive and Library Study Room by appointment only. Full details of access arrangements may be found here: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/archives/ .

Access to some of the material may be restricted. These are noted in the catalogue where relevant.

The following items have been integrated into the Theatre and Performance collections:

• S.202-1977 - Parasol used by Martita Hunt as Countess Aurelia in the play The Madwoman of Chaillot , St. James's Theatre, London, 1951
• S.198 to E-1977 - Costume worn by Martita Hunt as Countess Aurelia in Jean Giraudoux's play The Madwoman of Chaillot, St. James's Theatre, London, 1951
• S.199 to O-1977 - Jewellery worn by Martita Hunt as Countess Aurelia in Jean Giraudoux's play The Madwoman of Chaillot, St. James's Theatre, London, 1951
• S.200-1977 - Lorgnettes used by Martita Hunt as Countess Aurelia in the play The Madwoman of Chaillot, Belasco Theatre, New York, 1948 and St. James's Theatre, London, 1951
• S.201-1977 - Lorgnettes used by Martita Hunt as Countess Aurelia in the play The Madwoman of Chaillot, Belasco Theatre, New York, 1948 and St. James's Theatre, London, 1951

Information on copying and commercial reproduction may be found here: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/archives/ .

This collection was appraised in line with the collection management policy.

No further accruals are expected.

See also the core collections of the V&A Theatre and Performance Department. Material relating to Martita Hunt may be found in several collections, including the biographical, productions, and photographs files, as well as the library collections.

Please ask for details.