'The Beverley Sisters' (Babs Beverley; Joy Beverley; Teddie Beverley)

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Angus McBean Photograph. © Harvard Theatre Collection, Harvard University.

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'The Beverley Sisters' (Babs Beverley; Joy Beverley; Teddie Beverley)

by Angus McBean
chromogenic print, 1960
12 5/8 in. x 9 7/8 in. (320 mm x 252 mm) image size
Given by EMI, 2007
Photographs Collection
NPG x131152

Sittersback to top

Artistback to top

  • Angus McBean (1904-1990), Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 283 portraits, Sitter in 79 portraits.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Pepper, Terence, Angus McBean Portraits, 2006 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 5 July to 22 October 2006), p. 107 Read entry

    The three sisters, Joy (b.1929) and identical twins Teddie and Babs (b.1932), were the daughters of the comedy singing duo Coram and Mills and made up Britain’s most famous female close-harmony group. They began their recording career in the early 1950s and had major hits with 'I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus' (1953), 'Willie Can' (1956), 'Little Drummer Boy' and 'Little Donkey' (both 1959). The sisters were known for their identical outfits, worn both on and off stage, which were once stored in a house purchased specially for the purpose, adjacent to their shared home. McBean's colour photograph for their album cover was re-used several times in different contexts. Many years later McBean was in New York to photograph the fathers of hip hop, Run-DMC, and experimented with arranging them in the same pose as the Beverley Sisters, though this shot was not selected for publication.

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1960back to top

Current affairs

Prince Andrew is born, the third child of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.
The Contraceptive Pill is introduced in England, dramatically changing the nation's approach to sex and relationships, and significantly contributing to the 1960s culture of liberation.

Art and science

Penguin books defend D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover against charges of obscenity by demonstrating that the novel was of literary merit. The 'not guilty' verdict was seen as a victory for free speech and marked the beginning if a new era of liberalism.
The satirical revue Beyond the Fringe launches the careers of Alan Bennett, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and Jonathan Miller.

International

Harold Macmillan delivers his 'wind of change' speech to the South African Parliament in Cape Town, announcing Britain's decision to grant independence to many of her colonies. The speech recognised the emergence of African nationalism, and criticised the policy of Apartheid in South Africa.

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