Let's Misbehave: Exhibition opens at Blenheim Palace

Let’s Misbehave is an insight into the world of the upper classes at a time of social, artistic and political change.

The exhibition launched on Saturday and runs until Tuesday, April 14.

It showcases the lavish lifestyles lived by the ninth Duke of Marlborough and his second wife, Gladys Deacon.

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Their numerous parties were attended by family and a diverse group of friends, including Sir Winston Churchill.

The war time prime minister was famously born at Blenheim Palace.

A series of scenes within the palace’s state rooms allows visitors to see how the upper classes amused themselves, what they ate, how they dressed and what they talked about.

The rooms include works by artists and sculptors such as Cecil Beaton, Giovanni Boldini, Jacob Epstein and Duncan Grant.

The red drawing room plays host to a themed formal dinner, where guests can see the menu, seating plan and learn more about the characters on the dinner plate invitations.

The saloon is set for afternoon tea, with music on offer, whilst the second state room - used as a sitting room during the 1920’s - is dressed for cocktails.

The room is presided over by the Bloomsbury society hostess Lady Ottoline Morrell, whose portrait by Augustus John is also on display.

The third state room features the state bed along with maid and clothes laid out for visiting guest Lady Ottoline to dress for dinner.

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A game of bridge is under way in the long library, which is adorned with portraits of the ninth Duchess and her predecessor, the so-called Dollar Princess, Consuelo Vanderbilt.

Politics dominates the green writing room, with portraits, original papers and manuscripts belonging to Churchill and Rupert Brooke.

A range of political viewpoints are expressed, from pacifists and conscientious objectors to soldiers and white feathers.

Visitors can even express their own views of the time with a ‘token poll’ to find out who would be in favour of what cause.

Additional activities and lectures will also be taking place during the exhibition, including craft workshops, themed afternoon teas and talks by ‘Gladys Deacon’, biographer Hugo Vickers and other specialists of the period.

Visitors are encouraged to take pictures and selfies, and on arrival, are presented with an exclusive invitation to the exhibition from a uniformed footman.