A Watermill Fundraising Event
The Watermill Theatre is delighted to welcome The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire to host ‘An Audience With..’ The Duchess is the youngest and only surviving of six Mitford sisters whose antics were never off the society pages in the 1930s and 1940s - and not always for the right reasons. Fondly known as Debo, the Duchess will share her extraordinary life story.
Born into an aristocratic family in 1920, the Duchess followed a more conventional path than her five siblings, marrying Andrew Cavendish - later to become the 11th Duke of Devonshire - in 1941. Her husband - a nephew of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan - inherited the seat in 1950 and for more than 50 years the couple were to run one of the most successful country estates - Chatsworth House in Derbyshire.
The Duchess wrote several books about Chatsworth and played a key role in the restoration of the house, the enhancement of the garden and the development of commercial activities such as the Chatsworth Farm Shop. She became the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire in 2004 when her son inherited the dukedom upon the death of her husband.
Her recent book Wait for Me: Memoirs Of The Youngest Mitford Sister was launched in 2010.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire talk about her fascinating life. Join Debo in the bar afterwards for a glass of Champagne, tea and cake.
Tickets £45.
The restaurant is open from 12 noon for lunch. Please make your reservation with the box office.
All proceeds from ‘An audience with…’ events go to The Watermill Production Fund which has been set up to support the work on stage, contributing towards the cost of sets, costumes, lighting and sound equipment – all the elements that make the theatre exciting and special for everyone