Joanna Lumley reads Vita Sackville-West's letter to Virginia Woolf

Watch the inimitable Joanna Lumley reading Vita Sackville-West's longing letter to her lover, Virginia Woolf.
Originally read at Letters Live at Shoreditch Town Hall on Valentine's Day 2020.

[@sjinzaar]

I use Joanna Lumley as example in my English Speaking classes to illustrate the use of the voice. So superb.

[@luvhart]

And there is is no better a subject than the devine Joanna Lumley.

[@jasmeenmalhotra2225]

This letter is an underrated masterpiece of a vignette, and that was the perfect voice to hear it in.

[@mariannegeraud6318]

Joanna Lumley...is such a genius expressing all things!!!

[@irishcladdagh3]

My favorite person...why she doesnt have more audiobooks to her credit I will never know. LOVE HER

[@_MSD75_]

such a beautiful written letter

[@hsgregorius]

Those words.... English is not my first language, but I would love to be able to write such eloquent declarations to my loved ones...

[@7ebr830]

Seems you're well on your way. "Eloquent declarations" is no mean feat for a non-native English speaker to drum up. 👍🙂

[@kristilisakleiner9384]

It is my first language and I wish I spoke with such eloquence but alas I am American and doubt it will happen in this lifetime

[@ER-uy7ct]

I have loved her since Absolutely Fabulous.

[@xenorac]

Loved her since "Sapphire and Steel" - Showing my age now!

[@juliaconnell]

@@xenorac mine too - haunting that series was - so intriguing

[@MirlitronOne]

@@xenorac What, too young to remember "The New Avengers?" 😁

[@dtk404]

Of all the letters on all these videos read by all those fine actors, Joanna Lumley is the best. What an easy command of language

[@richardstevens1385]

A beautiful letter and beautifully read. Thank you

[@gnostic268]

Joanna Lumley 😍

[@anorawalker441]

This made me feel good

[@joshkolchins7753]

Who are the four people who have pressed the “thumbs down” button on this video?????

[@jeanhawken4482]

She is so beautiful

[@dylanakent]

No one is more posh than Joanna, no one. 👑

[@RaysDad]

A woman who wishes to receive such letters must cultivate a lesbian admirer.

[@Baribrotzer]

Not only that, but a lesbian admirer from 100 years ago. People don't write like that, with that sort of literate old-fashioned eloquence nowadays.

[@banjopete]

@@Baribrotzer , sadly lacking skill nowadays , grunts and squeaks must suffice.

[@Baribrotzer]

@@banjopete You probably do still find that ability in Britain, at least to some extent. Look how much better their politicians speak - even a populist doofus like Boris - than ours in the US. Of course, if a US pol speaks too well, he's clearly not One Of US, and couldn't get elected; not even as a Democrat from a college town.

[@shreyanshtalks9276]

Gr8

[@jl5749]

when you know this letter from red white and royal blue😂

[@jamesbaker7112]

It's a little known fact that she was afraid of Virginia Woolf.

[@rrrusty49]

😄

[@archiebald4717]

Such a posh luvvy.

[@MirlitronOne]

Far from it, if you met her.

[@carolking6355]

Vita was a brilliant author but not a very nice person in my mind.

[@jennifert2469]

Transgender

[@theangryholmesian4556]

@@jennifert2469 What on Earth does that have to do with anything? I know you British TERFs are deranged but cmon.

[@kmw4359]

I only know a little about her but she always a FANTASTIC gardener. Check out the gardens at Sissinghurst (in person best but there are pictures online).

[@CA-ee1et]

She wants to read what Chris Mullin, ex MP and full time IRA apologist, says about her in his diaries.

[@user-dr9qu7qt9o]

Joanna - what happened...too much work..

[@sarahholland2600]

Her foundation is way too pale. And red lippy after 40 is v ageing & unflattering. .

[@kathrynbartlett6058]

@@sarahholland2600 True beauty is supporting, not diminishing, another woman

[@sueharrison9115]

She is nearly 75 years old so actually she looks amazing!

[@wandajames6234]

I'm so glad you got so much out of this video and not just the superficial shit like a person's appearance.... shows true intelligence and quality. People like you enhance humankind--- NOT.

[@rhyfeddu]

Oh, good grief, stop.