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Tuesday 25 February 2014

Night out

Saturday, February 25th., Cadogan Square, London.

I went by bus to Colefaxes; Sam Courtauld and Eliz. Lewis. All of us except Arthur Colefax went to see "The Unknown Warrior" by Raynal at the Little Theatre. First act false and awful, and all the three players, including Maurice Browne, awful. But second and third acts quite good and rather moving, and Maurice was better - much better. 

The Unknown Warrior by Paul Raynal is a French three act play exposing the futility of The First World War through the eyes of a soldier. Bernard Shaw is quoted as saying: "It was almost worth having war to have so fine a play." It was first performed in English at the Arts Theatre Club on February 5th., 1928. It eentres on a soldier's brief leave, taken with his father and fiancee, granted on condition that when he returns to the front he will undertake what is effectively a suicide mission. 

Then Courtauld took us all to the Cafe de Paris, where we stayed until 12.30 and after. Fearfully crowded and noisy. No room to dance. Lady Colefax and Michael ditto drove me home. Bed at 1 a.m.
Also for Sybil Colefax see 'War nerves'

Samuel Courtauld (1876 – 1947) was an English industrialist who is best remembered as an art collector. He founded the Courtauld Institute of Art in London in 1932 and, after a series of gifts during the 1930s, bequeathed his collection to it upon his death. His wealth came from the textile business, but on both sides of his family there were connections with the arts and traditions of patronage going back several generations. Courtauld loved pictures and wrote poems about them. On the advice of Roger Fry and others he bought French Impressionists and Cézannes and took out a lease on the best Robert Adam house in London, Home House, 20 Portman Square, in which to display them - a novel and stunning combination.

Additionally for February 25th., see 'Extreme cold'

Fifteen degrees C. of cold this morning at 7 a.m., 13 degrees at 8.15. I went out yesterday afternoon. Strong north-east wind and very hard frost. I had my face wrapped up but after a mile I could not stand it any longer, and had to come home. It was a terrifying and very painful cold: the keenest I have been in.

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