A new hotly-anticipated musical based on the life of world-famous supermodel Twiggy has just been announced. Directed and written by Ben Elton (We Will Rock You, Blackadder), the play will chart the life of the 1960s icon who changed the face of fashion forever. While only Ben Elton and his talented cast and crew know exactly what's in store for the show, here are some of the elements which you might expect to be featured in the dramatisation of Twiggy’s gripping life story.
Twiggy’s story
Born Lesley Hornby in 1949 in Neasden London, her father Norman was a master carpenter and her mother Nell worked as a factory worker. Twiggy called herself the ‘world’s first famous working-class model’.
The name Twiggy came from friends teasing her about her slim, ‘twig-like’ frame. Originally just Twigs, her boyfriend and manager Nigel Davies – who later changed his own name to the more fanciful Justin De Villeneuve – suggested she change her name to Twiggy.
At the age of 16, she got her hair cut at the Mayfair salon of Leonard Lewis. He wanted to try a new look on her. Though she didn’t want the proposed style, she was too shy to decline it. Photographer Barry Lategan shot pictures of her in the salon chair. The Daily Express saw the images and referred to her as ‘the face of 1966’. Her fresh, new pixie cut became the signature women's hairstyle of the 1960s… and Twiggy the legend was born.
Many have cited her as being the world’s first supermodel. In a historic moment, Twiggy was the cover star of Vogue in April 1967 at just 17 years old. It highlighted her arresting eyes and razor-sharp haircut, which hastened her ascent to become the most famous fashion model of the ‘60s. That same year, she became the first celebrity to have a Barbie doll modelled after her. She rubbed noses with the likes of Steve McQueen, The Beatles and Cher. She even appeared on the album cover of David Bowie’s iconic 1973 Pin Ups album.
In 1971, at barely 21 years old, Twiggy branched into acting. A friend of eccentric director Ken Russell, she starred as the lead in the filmmaker’s adaptation of The Boyfriend. She garnered praise for her performance and was even nominated for a Golden Globe.
In 1977, she married the American actor Michael Witney with whom she had a daughter, Carly Witney (now 45). The marriage fell apart quickly due to Witney’s alcoholism. Twiggy split with Witney, though they remained married until his death from a heart attack in 1983, aged 52.
In 1988, she married English actor Leigh Lawson, best known for his role in Roman Polanski’s 1979 film Tess, a union which continues to today.
Since 2005, Twiggy has remained relevant, continuing to model for high street giant Marks & Spencer (for whom she has also designed clothes). She was a judge on America’s Next Top Model from 2005 to 2007 and has become a significant advocate for animal welfare. In the 2019 New Year Honours, the iconic model was made a dame. She currently hosts the popular podcast Tea with Twiggy which has featured Michelle Dockery and the Duke of Richmond as guests.
Tatler expects to see many of these events dramatised soon, as Close-Up: The Twiggy Musical is scheduled to begin on 16 September at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory where it will run until 18 November.
