In interviews with Moira Taylor, Katherine Mansfield’s brother-in-law Richard Murry, sister Jeanne Renshaw and long-time companion and confidante, Ida Baker (referred to as L.M. in Mansfield's diaries and correspondence) share their recollections of the Katherine they once knew.
The programme includes readings of extracts from her journals, letters and short stories read by Janice Fing and Christine Bartlett.
Produced and narrated by Moira Taylor.
Jeanne Renshaw describes Mansfield's charismatic personality and feeling for 'atmosphere'. Moira Taylor describes Jeanne Renshaw's comparatively conventional adult life since her childhood with Katherine.
Jeanne recalls the Beauchamp family's home life in Karori - very sociable with many visitors. The children entertained themselves very well.
In 1903 Katherine and the two older sisters Vera and Chaddie left for further education at Queen's College, London. Here she met Ida Baker.
Now 86 and living in a thatched cottage in the New Forest, Ida - or L.M. as she was named by Katherine, describes being drawn to Katherine because of a mutual interest in poetry.
After their schooling, the Beauchamp girls were returned to New Zealand, much to Mansfield's distress.
Jeanne recalls how Katherine found Wellington provincial and difficult after London. A 1907 extract from Mansfield's journal longing for London is read. Jeanne comments further on her determination to return to London.
A story was published in an Australian publication which helped convince her parents she might have a future as a writer and she returned to London.
Jeanne recalls Mansfield's inability to handle money carefully and defends her father who she says often had to pay her debts.
Her romantic entanglement with Garnett Trowell, pregnancy, marriage and miscarriage are recounted by Moira Taylor. LM recalls she never questioned any of Katherine's romantic adventures.
LM recalls Mansfield suffered from 'night terrors' and did not want to be alone at night, but after she became involved with John Middleton Murry, LM withdrew from her life a little. She recalls her impressions of Murry.
An extract is read from Mansfield's journal worrying about LM's dependence on her and criticising LM. Ida Baker explains her own selfless position.
In 1918 as her health began to decline, LM went to her in France, but Mansfield resented this. LM and Murry alternated through the rest of Mansfield's life. He withdrew from her illness, as is shown in an extract from one of his letters.
John Middleton Murry's brother Richard, a 73 year old portrait painter and retired librarian, speaks about his role in originating the 'tragic Mansfield myth" a criticism by one of Mansfield's biographers Ruth Mantz. He recalls her lively personality, even though ill. He was a great admirer of Mansfield when he was an art student, and they visited London theatres and art galleries together, Degas being one of her favourites. She was also a fan of music hall performers such as Marie Lloyd, Vesta Victoria and especially Spanish singer Raquel Meller.
Jeanne recalls her ability as an actress and entertainer, while writers Virginia Woolf and Ottoline Morrell were critical of Mansfield's personal style. Richard Murry describes her unusual style of dress and reads a description he wrote about her being a 'head-turner' who dressed in Parisian style with coloured stockings, high heels, make-up and a short skirt for the era.
Jeanne Renshaw talks about Katherine's love of children and desire for a child of her own.
The death of her brother 'Chummie' in a training accident in World War I had a great impact on her. Jeanne recalls how it made her feel the separation from her family and New Zealand childhood keenly, and inspired her to write about them. Jeanne says 'At the Bay' in particular, dates from this period. [Some excerpts are read.] She comments on the extent to which the characters Stanley and Linda Burnell represent her parents.
Jeanne says her mother used to grieve and worry about Katherine's welfare. She last saw her father in 1919 when he came to see her as she was ill in the south of France. An excerpt from a letter to her husband, describing her father's visit, is read. Jeanne comments on their relationship. She doesn't believe her father knew how desperate Mansfield was for money at this point, saying Katherine deliberately concealed her poverty.
in 1919 she realised her husband was never going to be able to live with an invalid and she reconciled with LM. Richard Murry says his brother may have failed Katherine but was much more attentive when his second wife also developed tuberculosis.
He was reunited with her shortly before she died at Fontainebleau. Jeanne comments about the funeral, which she attended. Ida Baker, L.M. speaks about the devastating impact Mansfield's death had on her life. She was urged to write about their life together but it was too painful for many years. Finally after 50 years later, in her 80s she began to write.
Richard Murry and LM both say they have felt Mansfield's presence on occasions after her death. LM says their relationship was a spiritual bond.