Miriam Margolyes and Clarke Peters read some STEAMY letters between Anaïs Nin and Henry Miller

In 1932, months after first meeting in Paris and despite both being married, celebrated diarist Anaïs Nin and novelist Henry Miller began a wild love affair that would last for many years, a situation further intensified by the fact that Nin also had an openly-discussed affair, albeit brief, with Miller’s then-wife, June, as their romance grew. The following letters were written in 1932, shortly before a heated few days at Nin's home in France.
Clarke Peters and Miriam Margolyes joined us to read these steamy letters at the Royal Albert Hall in October 2022.

[@ddraigmafon4725]

Miriam Margolyes is a jewel. Not only a consummate actress but a woman who truly embodies what it is to be comfortable in your own skin and to enjoy life to the full, unabashedly and wholeheartedly. I cannot think of two more perfect actors to read these letters.

[@StevenCampbell1955]

HOLY SMOKE, those letters near to burst into flames themselves.

[@maryfitzpatrick3252]

Clarke Peters has aged well. The sparkle in their eyes 👀 and the spot on pauses in their delivery were perfection. More please.

[@karenburrows9184]

An exquisite reading by two consummate actors. A thing of beauty. Ms. Margolyes is beguiling.

[@marioneunkirchen7686]

It is great to see two People who know exactly what they are doing.

[@susanray8811]

Before phone sex ... there were exquisitely written letters.

[@LazyIRanch]

I'm grateful these steamy letters weren't destroyed! They really are exquisite. They chose the right actors to read these.

[@robertmacdonaldbespokekilt3063]

.. and now there are exquisitely-written texts.

[@conniead5206]

@@robertmacdonaldbespokekilt3063 Not if auto-incorrect helps.

[@lindarobinson2104]

OH!! So much better than phone sex!!

[@1969Kismet]

Beautiful duo! When acting is so intense it seeps through their eyes, their smiles and their almost immobile bodies. Bravo!

[@khamfai]

The choice to have Miriam Margolyes reading this letter is perfect! Listening and watching her reading this letter instantly reminded me of her memoirs “This Much is True” (published in September 2021) where she shared many accounts, from her younger years, of giving heads to men - something she always enjoy - despite herself (openly) being a lesbian!! She’s one of my favorite actors/performers. Her ever so present naughtiness and mischievous eyes add delightful layers to her performances. If you like this letter reading, I recommend the audiobook version of her memoir, read by Miriam Margolyes herself!

[@JavertRA]

She gave a very funny interview to Louis Theroux during lockdown, including the story of finishing off a Scottish lad in a tree.

[@parsnipmcgee329]

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm so pleased with myself that I've discovered this elder while she's still hale. I've enjoyed everything I've seen her do. Sunday morning interviews and all.

[@unseelie63]

I am looking up her books with intent to purchase NOW.

[@timnor4803]

This is the weirdest episode of "the Electric Company" that I never saw...

[@LazyIRanch]

LOL! That is funny. He does bear a striking resemblance to Morgan Freeman (especially his elegant voice), and I first knew Miriam from children's movies, like "Balto".

[@miketemple7686]

HEY YOU GUYS! Couldn’t agree more.

[@DonJuanMarco1994]

You call these letters STEAMY? These letters are BURNING. 😆🔥

[@stream_gene]

I now want a series with these two playing opposite each other, oh the chemistry lol

[@crimps321]

Wow, it's amazing she chose to read this in an American accent. She's fabulous.

[@mitchweiner]

I wasn’t expecting Miriam to read this letter in an American accent! I’m pleased!

[@corinnecivish7673]

I first noticed Ms Margolyes back in the late 80s, in A Little Princess miniseries and a bit later when our PBS channel started showing Black Adder. She can be so natural, or such an over the top caricature, with equal aplomb. I've loved her ever since.

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Wowza! They were perfect reading these letters. Just perfect.

[@BbqMikeG]

These letters worked better than an expectorant for my cold!

[@poja82]

The looks...THE LOOKS

[@whatiwasgoingtosay]

Miriam Margolyes is the only person allowed to say “moist.”

[@harryh5620]

I love Clarke Peters. I want to see him more!

[@markmuldoon805]

Beautifully done, by beautiful people.

[@ericthompson3982]

He's reading them, but she's *selling* them.

[@jeanhawken4482]

Nothing like lust put into exquisite narrative.

[@Rambam1776]

Why, Sir, I do believe you're flirting with me...

[@roddo1955]

He is so into you!

[@gayleburns8974]

That was excellent and so well done! Miriam and Clarke's reactions were half of the fun. I just loved it!

[@janicekrieger1922]

Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, pair of legends!!

[@mariannegeraud6318]

Some send horny selfies while others prefer horny letters... it's a bit like visual Vs imagination. One thing is for sure there 's not much risk of your letter being " hacked" and ending up all over the internet... however it might end up on" letters live"though!!😱

[@AMCvanTuijl735]

That voice of Clark Peters………

[@judyharper1742]

Just a thought, the pair of them were phenomenal. A sound of....innocence.

[@alidabaxter5849]

The expressions on his face when Miriam reads the reply to him!

[@dorisvandevelde7829]

A treasure! Both of them!

[@faithbishop1444]

This was very intense…. That man tho, daddyyyyy!!!!

[@llchapman1234]

Margolyes and Peters are perfection! Chef's kiss 💋

[@sharonwhite1985]

Perfect pairing and perfect timing!

[@AmandaInEly]

But seriously, doesn't everyone fancy Clarke Peters?

[@MoonSpinners]

After this…definitely 😂

[@lshwadchuck5643]

I do now!

[@olga138]

I love Miriam---she is fabulous.

[@satan.is.my.copilot]

I feel like there's a pretty solid chance that at least one of these two didn't really want their exceptionally private correspondence to be recited for a televised audience...

[@RESELLERGEORGE]

These two need more work together theyre amazing!

[@cab5917]

“Yeaaaaah!”

[@lowelllipe9125]

🔥so on fire, surprised it hasn't been censored🤘🔥❤️

[@irisn.garcia5883]

How delightful !!!!!

[@mauranolan843]

They are both wonderful.😂

[@Dilydaydream1]

Read perfectly but the twinkle in their eyes gave so much mischief and life. Sexy and fun

[@AnneBeamish]

Love this so much. More like this please.

[@outdooradventures8773]

Incredible !

[@zazuzazz5419]

…Oh my goodness!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@lindarobinson2104]

DANNNNG!!!!!!!

[@leejudith5209]

WOW .....

[@slapshot6163]

I love to be read to.

[@marionsmit4009]

Bravo

[@victoriaeads6126]

Marvelous!

[@Aldous944]

Not sure why Margolyes gives Anais an American accent, given that she was Spanish/French. But, great to relive these passionate moments between two very intense writers.

[@LyonThroy-RSA]

Well, that's me for a cold shower then ... 🚿

[@melissaaldosari8024]

Whew!😅

[@CatsandJP]

Fkn hell why not say it how you feel it. 🙀🙀💌💌🔥🔥👍👍💯💯🥳🥳👏👏

[@Jizzlewobbwtfcus]

Women who think us men only want one thing?....."Lying on top of you is one thing, but getting close to you is another"

[@deejayk5939]

O my!❤

[@DonJuanMarco1994]

Letters so erotic and hot, not even the aircon could keep things cool. 😆

[@flowerpower6619]

HAWT!!!!!!!!!!

[@stevenredpath9332]

They aim to misbehave. 😈

[@mordeys]

Was he blushing???

[@zazuzazz5419]

… And then… 🚬🚬 😏

[@kariburns6682]

❤

[@marthacastro9162]

Babbabooooooooom! 🔥

[@nowthenzen]

Henry Miller was Base!

[@user-hi3wv8yi5d]

Fans self...

[@TheBeautifulDisaster]

Lester Freamon

[@judeirwin2222]

Learn to spell the man’s name.

[@whatiwasgoingtosay]

@@judeirwin2222 sis, that is how you spell it. It’s Clarke Peters’ character in The Wire. A show which you evidently need to see.

[@eileencollins8799]

I loved him in The Wire. Love him still.

[@ronwade5646]

I am older now, hell I'm old, she's hot.

[@cfoley6489]

Wonderfully performed. However, if you look up the pics of the two letter authors, it would be far more entertaining to imagine the two actors on stage together than the souces of the material.

[@bufordhighwater9872]

The way the audience laughed throughout was a sad sign of the immature and ignorant attitude we've developed about passion and sex. These were real love letters written by and between two geniuses who influenced not only other geniuses, but cultural movements that were to shape our country for decades.

[@cxzact9204]

So this is a British audience, thus the "our country" remark seems misplaced. And secondly, this is an audience setting which always encourages laughter and wit. What are people supposed to do, listen quietly and become aroused by Henry Miller's passionately clunky description of his erect penis? Anais Nin and works like hers are best enjoyed privately by preference for most people.

[@emilymartin5418]

There are many types of laughter. You seem to assume mockery, I heard joy and delight. Your comment reflects more on you than whatever country you claim to speak for.

[@luisdauajare4842]

Is it getting hot in here??

[@faithbishop1444]

The way he says fk……. is so…… That’s a black man🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲

[@TAD-LOW]

This is the greatest ever!😂😂😂