Let's Misbehave – Blenheim

Palace in the 1920s

Travel back in time to the Roaring Twenties as Blenheim Palace invites bright young things to a magnificent party celebrating this famously decadent decade.

Running from 15th February to 13th April, 'Let's Misbehave – Blenheim Palace in the 1920s' is a fascinating insight into the heady world of the upper classes in a time of great social, artistic and political change.

On arrival visitors are presented with an exclusive invitation from a uniformed footman, addressed to a real-life character from Blenheim Palace's varied and extensive social circle of the time.  

The 9th Duke of Marlborough and his second wife, American intellectual, Gladys Deacon, were lavish hosts at the baroque Oxfordshire Palace.

Their numerous house parties were attended by family and friends as diverse as writer and Bloomsbury Group founder member, Lytton Strachey and Sir Winston Churchill, who was born at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The exhibition showcases the Marlborough's lavish lifestyle in a series of tableaux within the Palace's elegant State Rooms.

Featuring works by artists and sculptors as eclectic as Boldini, Cecil Beaton, Jacob Epstein and Duncan Grant, visitors can see how the upper classes amused themselves on these occasions, as well as what they ate, how they dressed and what they talked about.

Walk into the Great Hall and be greeted by an immaculate vintage car.

The Red Drawing is set for a formal dinner. See the menu, seating plan and learn more about the life and loves of your character…from the dinner plates!

The Saloon is set for Afternoon Tea with music and gaiety on offer. A perfect spot for visitors to take selfies at this exclusive gathering.

The Second State Room, used as a sitting room during the 1920's, is dressed for cocktails with drinks, music and presided over by the Bloomsbury society hostess Lady Ottoline Morrell, whose portrait by Augustus John is also on display.

The Third State Room, is portrayed in its original use as a bedroom, complete with maid and clothes laid out for visiting guest Lady Ottoline to dress for dinner.  

A game of Bridge is under way in the Long Library in which previously unseen portraits, sketches and photographs of Gladys Deacon are on display, alongside portraits of the 9th Duchess - her predecessor the so-called Dollar Princess, Consuelo Vanderbilt.

Discover the aesthetic, and often shocking, world of Strachey, Woolf, Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant, Maynard Keynes and Adrian Stephen as you see portraits around the exhibition.

The Green Writing room explores the politics of the early 1900s. From Winston Churchill to Strachey and Rupert Brooke, visitors can see portraits, original papers and manuscripts belonging to these influential men. 

All political expressions are aired from pacifists, conscientious objectors to soldiers and white feathers. Visitors can take a vote on how they would act under the circumstances faced by that generation. 

Additional activities and lectures will also be taking place during the exhibition, including craft

workshops, themed afternoon teas and talks by Gladys Deacon and Cecil Beaton biographer, Hugo Vickers and other specialists of the period.

What: Let's Misbehave at Blenheim Palace – New Exhibition at Blenheim Palace

When: 15 February – 13th April, 2020

Why Visit: Discover the lavish world of Blenheim Palace in the Roaring 20's from parties, portraits to politics.

Admission: Palace, Park & Gardens ticket: Adult £28.50, Concession £27.00, Child £16.50,

Annual Pass Holders FREE

Website: blenheimpalace.com

For more information please contact: Melodie Manners | melodie@flamingomarketing.co.uk | 07815 709548 or 01637 873379