Review: BETTE & JOAN at Park Theatre
The revival of Bette & Joan at Park Theatre is the perfect antidote for those yearning for some old-school Hollywood drama with a deliciously sharp edge. Based on the legendary real-life rivalry between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford during the filming of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, this production takes audiences backstage into a world of razor-sharp wit, bruised egos, and a whole lot of glamour.
This play isn’t just about two stars; it’s about two giants. Emmy award-winner Greta Scacchi reprises her role as Bette Davis, and it feels like she was born to play her. Scacchi nails the larger-than-life persona of Davis, blending her iconic acid tongue with a surprising vulnerability. Felicity Dean steps into the shoes of Joan Crawford she shines. She perfectly captures the grace and tightly wound control that defined Crawford’s public persona, while slowly peeling back the layers to show a woman desperate to hold onto her fading stardom.
The chemistry (or, more accurately, the anti-chemistry) between these two actresses is electric. Every time they’re on stage together, sparks fly, and you can almost feel the seething beneath the surface. Their exchanges are deliciously cutting – it's like watching a high-stakes verbal tennis match where no one holds back. And that’s the brilliance of this play: it doesn’t take sides. Both Davis and Crawford are portrayed as deeply flawed, fiercely ambitious, and painfully human.
What makes Bette & Joan special isn’t just the rivalry (though, let’s be honest, we love a good Hollywood feud). The script, written by Anton Burge, strikes a perfect balance between biting humour and emotional depth. Yes, there are the expected one-liners (and there some gems, particularly the hilarious last line), but there’s also a real sense of sadness underpinning the drama. These are two women who have spent their lives fighting for recognition in a brutal, male-dominated industry, and now, as they age, they’re left fighting for relevance.
The comedy is quick, and often brutal. There’s a certain joy in watching these two icons of the silver screen verbally sparring, but it’s the moments of vulnerability that truly resonate. Burge's writing allows the audience to glimpse behind the glamour, revealing two people grappling with insecurities, lost loves, and the weight of their fame.
Park90’s intimate setting is perfect for this production. The small space brings you right into the action, almost as if you’re sitting in Bette or Joan’s dressing room while they throw barbs at each other. The set design is simple but effective; two dressing rooms, mirrors reflecting both their vanity and insecurities. It feels personal, almost too close for comfort, and that’s exactly what works.
Sue Jenkins’ direction is tight, ensuring that the pacing never falters. The laughs come fast, but Jenkins also allows space for the more introspective moments, giving the audience time to reflect on the complexities of these two women’s lives.
Bette & Joan is a delightful mix of humour, nostalgia, and heartbreak. It’s a play that will make you laugh out loud, but it’ll also leave you thinking about the cost of fame, ambition, and the harsh realities of ageing in an industry that worships youth.
For fans of classic Hollywood, or anyone who loves a good, juicy rivalry, this revival at Park Theatre is an absolute must-see. It’s witty, it’s biting, and at its heart, it’s a deeply moving portrait of two women who were more alike than either would care to admit.
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