24 June 2011
The original ladiesThis biographical play by Anton Burge, tells of the love/hate relationship between screen goddesses Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. The play is set in the dressing rooms of the two stars as they prepare to shoot the classic film Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?, a high-risk shocker which became a surprise hit and propelled the duo back to stardom.
Bitchy little digs and gigantic slagging matches fill the production from start to finish. Scacchi transforms into Davis before your very eyes as Dobson chooses the more subtle approach to bring Crawford to life. The set is simple and does not change for the whole production, two dressing rooms fill the stage, the mirrors cut away - nothing between the two performers but venom, loathing and a whole heap of emotional baggage. Watch out for the moment when Bette applies the lippy behind her hand held mirror and Joan sips Pepsi laced with booze in front of her dressing room mirror - two vulnerable women applying the war paint before battle! Brilliant!
Greta Scacchi is Bette Davis
Anita Dobson as Joan Crawford10 out of 10
