Retired in Barbados because of ill health, this famous costume and set designer was instrumental in building the first houses in Mustique in theatrical, colonial style - ideally suited to the Caribbean - using stone and cement in the most imaginative way.
I was frequently a guest on the island and went to Colin Glenconner's parties. After Oliver's demise, I worked on the Great House and subsequently Alumbrera (see next week's blog)
I was frequently a guest on the island and went to Colin Glenconner's parties. After Oliver's demise, I worked on the Great House and subsequently Alumbrera (see next week's blog)
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| The Great House, Mustique designed by Oliver Messel |
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| Princess Margaret at Colin Glenconner birthday party |
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| 'The Red Shoes' with Moira Shearer |
Messel belonged to a generation who was not afraid of prettiness, nor indeed of colour, as was proved in the movie 'The Red Shoes' with Moira Shearer - his designs have lost none of their clarity and freshness, even more so in 'Caesar and Cleopatra' with Claude Rains as Caeser and the ravishing Vivien Leigh as Cleopatra.
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| Daphnis & Chloe |
This 1940's approach was also manifest in the Frederick Ashton [wit and charm personified] Ravel ballet 'Daphne & Chloe' [1951], danced by Margot Fonteyn and Michael Somes, with costumes and decor by John Craxton. The ballet was recreated in 2004 (when I saw it) and it had a lucidity and clarity reminiscent of Ancient Greece, of mythology, far from today's blighted country now held to ransom.
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