Starring Vivien Leigh

A rarely seen photograph of Vivien Leigh and husband Laurence Olivier at a garden party forms the centrepiece of this exhibition from the National Portrait Gallery, London. One of the most famous actors of the 20th century, Leigh is seen here captured on film throughout her career by photographers including Cecil Beaton, Angus McBean, Norman Parkinson, Laszlo Willinger and Madame Yevonde.

The photograph of Leigh and Olivier was taken by photojournalist Larry Burrows at the height of her fame in 1949 and shows the couple attending a theatrical garden party, addressing the crowd through a megaphone. The photograph had never been seen before it was given to the National Portrait Gallery by Burrows’ family in 2013.

Other images capture Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind, performing in A Streetcar Named Desire alongside Marlon Brando, and giving her first, un-credited film performance in Things Are Looking Up (1934).

Rare film stills, press books and magazine covers complete what is a star-studded glimpse into Leigh’s film and theatre career.