THE BATTLE OF BETTE & JOAN

Posted on 23 May 2011

Described in this month's Cosmopolitan as the Play of the Week, the World premiere of Bette & Joan is on stage at the Arts Theatre for a limited run until 25th June.

Award winning actresses Greta Scacchi and Anita Dobson take on the roles of legendary rivals and screen queens Bette Davis and Joan Crawford to look at what might have happened on the set of the cult hit Whatever Happened to Baby Jane starring the two divas.  Anton Burge's new play explores the hilarious and heartbreaking facets of old Hollywood as the two ageing screen icons realise they have surprising similarities.

Greta Scacchi is an Emmy award winner and has been nominated at Golden Globe Awards.  On the stage she starred in the critically acclaimed West End revival of Terence Rattigan's Deep Blue Sea and other theatre credits include Michael Blakemore's West End production of Uncle Vanya and Peter Hall's Private Lies.

Anita Dobson is best known for her role as Angie Watts in EastEnders.  She has made many stage appearances including a Best Actress Olivier Award nomination for Frozen at the National Theatre and whatsonstage.com award for Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Here are some of the reviews:

"The two stars are played with impeccable comic timing by Anita Dobson (Angie in EastEnders!) and Greta Scacchi, as they strip, spike their Pepsi with vodka and deliver some gloriously vituperative putdowns. If you yearn for some silver-screen glamour with added poison, be sure to see it." - Cosmopolitan magazine

"Whatever happened to the Great Actresses?  They're back on stage again." - The Times

"Bitch Perfect" - Sunday Telegraph

"Bette & Joan is London's new must-see show" - Gay Times

"Dobson - wickedly funny" - Daily Telegraph

"Scacchi - a scorching performance" - Express

"Tartly funny" - Financial Times

Book Bette & Joan tickets online now.

[posted by Louise, 23/05/2011]