Bette & Joan: The Final Curtain (2017)
Created by Foursight Theatre Company devised by Sarah Thorn, Sarah Toogood and James Greaves, script by James Greaves
Performances: Tue 10th – Sat 14th October 2017, Upper Hall, Stanley Halls
Contents
Introduction
The action takes place in 1989 in God's Waiting Room, France.
Cast
- Bette Davis - Gill Manly
- Joan Crawford - Helen Chadney
- Hedda Hopper - Audrey Lindsay
- Louella Parsons - Kim Goldsmith
Crew
- Stage Manager - Charlotte Benstead
- Assistant Stage Manager - Apatu Storey
- Lighting & Sound Operator - Alan Slater
- Video Production - Rob Tavernier
- Set Design - Tom Mathias
- Lighting, Publicity & Editing - Bryon Fear
- Rigging - Sean Thomas
- Set construction - Mark Ireson, Chaz Doyle, Tom Mathias, Apatu Storey
- Sound Design - Adam Crook & Daniel Kelly
- Props - Carole Ironside
- Costumes - SLT Wardrobe & the cast
- Theatre Rep - Mark Ireson
- Photography & Other Favours - Chris Vian-Smith
Thanks
So many people to thank profusely as well as the fabulous cast and crew above (whose support and commitment has been amazing), so I have to be brief: Richard Canal (Oscar Announcement); Simon Wallace (piano tracks); Jenny McLaughlin (filming make-up); Lily-Ann Coleman (Joan's wig); Ty Jeffries (Baby Jane wig); Marko Waschke (loan of video camera); Red Cross Croydon (wheelchair); Anton Krause, Kelly Kim Cranstoun (choreography); all the usual unsung heroes who help to get a show put on at Stanley Halls - sincere thanks all. Special thanks too to Sarah Thorn and James Greaves, two of the creators of this wonderful play; for their support and encouragement, and for letting me do it!
Reviews
Bette & Joan: The Final Curtain is fantastic - some formidable performances from Helen Chadney and Gill Manly who are perfectly pitted against one another. The play is sharp and clever and the staging is inventive with a great set from Tom Mathias (Chaz Doyle, watch your back). As you would rightly expect, a mix of high drama with glorious comedy and peppered throughout with hilarious appearances from Audrey Lindsay and Kim Goldsmith. Well done Caroline Beckett - a great debut from a first-time director.
Bryon Fear
Well Bryon was right. If you missed Bette and Joan then you MISSED OUT. I'm so moved! What performances. I'm so proud of SLT and proud to be a part of it. The production tonight was one of the best things I've seen in the theatre full stop.
Isabella Jade Harrison
Many congratulations to the 'Bette and Joan'ers for tonight's show. Excellent performances by all involved. There were definitely references that I didn't get, being totally unfamiliar with the work of the two title roles, but nonetheless really enjoyed the show. Particularly the video performances and the live actors perfectly in sync with the recordings. And congrats to Cal, excellent directorial debut.
Owen Chidlaw
Gallery
Reminiscences and Anecdotes
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See Also
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References
External Links
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