Scope and arrangement
The Hugh Laing and Antony Tudor papers are composed of correspondence, postcards, contracts, professional and personal photographs and several bound books. The bulk of the documents represent an intimate spectrum of Laing and Tudor's personal lives, their relationships with their immediate families, as well as dancers Diana Adams, Nora Kaye, Agnes DeMille, and critic/photographer Carl Van Vechten.
The items directly relating to Nora Kaye consists entirely of photographs. Candid shots include Kaye traveling abroad and an appearance for the British War Relief Society featuring fellow ballerinas Annabelle Lyon and Miriam Golden. Professional photographs include press shots and various stage performances, the bulk taken by Fred Fehl.
The materials relating to the personal side of Hugh Laing consist of detailed personal correspondence, various personal artifacts and dozens of photographs, both candid and professional. Correspondence is a mixture of personal letters from family members and friends including a substantial amount of letters from Carl Van Vechten. The bulk of the correspondence is between Tudor and Laing and ranges from 1955 to 1980. Most of the professional photographs are prints from Carl Van Vechten's various shoots documenting nearly all of Laing's leading roles. (Van Vechten mentions in his correspondence that is was a pleasure to photograph Laing and that it was his intent to document all of his leading roles). Various professional photographs also featuring Tudor appear in this section.
The Antony Tudor section is composed of detailed personal correspondence, various personal artifacts and dozens of photographs, both candid and professional. An assortment of riders, contracts, and professional inquiries begin with the original 1939 contract requesting Laing and Tudor's appearance in New York City to produce and perform Tudor's Jardin aux Lilas. The bulk of the remaining forms originate from the corporate offices of The Ballet Theatre and The Royal Opera House, London, as well as various educational organizations and foundations. Correspondence to Tudor is slim, and originates from several various senders. Many are notes of praise and gratitude, with several more familiar notes from a MS Cook in New Zealand. Photographs commemorating his directorial work in Tokyo, Brazil, and various locations in Europe are held here, along with several from Carl Van Vechten's various ballet shoots. Also included are excerpts of personal, biographical histories with heading titles "Getting to Know Rambert" and "Jardin aux Lilas," both with hand-written notes.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in three sections by the name of the creator. Within that, files were arranged alphabetically by format.