Bette and Joana play by Anton Burge was first performed in 2011 and is set against the backdrop of the two Hollywood Icons working together on the set of the film Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. As the play develops, the audience is given a taster of anecdotes about the “whatever happened on Baby Jane” film set.

The play is set during one day in 1962 when they are filming Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. All of the play is set shifting between the two dressing rooms of Bette Davis (Greta Scacchi) and Joan Crawford (Felicity Dean). Both take turns to explain parts of their lives and when the two actresses’ paths cross along their careers. The explosive side of events takes place when one or another enters the other one’s dressing room.

The two chain-smoking Hollywood Icons don’t hold back with their words finding fault with each other to cause maximum hurt. Scacchi begins applying the white face-based make-up similar to the original worn by Davis in the original film. She remarks that “it is the makeup of that the character requires” and not how she looked off screen.

My prior knowledge about the relationship between Bette and Joan was virtually non-existent and formed a part of the attraction of seeing the play. From the information I have read most of the details and events are historically documented and took place between the feuding actresses. However, I can’t help wondering how much was encouraged by the bosses of the Hollywood Film Houses to raise the profile of their films and use these icons further.

Scacchi and Dean bring a touch of Hollywood glamour to Park Theatre. Their rapport on stage brings to life events that shaped part of the Hollywood film industry history. Despite the arguments and the “mud-slinging,” both actresses wanted to do their jobs and be respected for their rights. Perhaps the feud also spurred the other one on, and they needed each other more than either of them realised!

These bygone days saw celebrities differently and director Sue Jenkins allows the audience to look back and admire the talent and hard work Davis and Crawford brought to the silver screen. Their memories deserve to be honoured and admired for their performances. Hollywood back then was not for the faint-hearted.

For more information about Bette & Joan, please visit the link below.

Five Stars.

Photo credit Simon Annand.

Bette & Joan

Dates

Previews: Tue 3 – Wed 4 Dec
Plays: Tue 3 Dec – Sat 4 Jan


Evenings

Mon-Sat 19.45
(Except 24, 25, 26 & 31 Dec and 1 Jan)
And Sun 29 Dec 19.45
Matinees

Thu & Sat 15.15
(Except 25 & 26 Dec and 1 Jan)
And Tue 24 & Sun 29 Dec 15.15