ANITA DOBSON in Bette & Joan
April 27, 2011
Anita Dobson stars as Joan Crawford in Bette & Joan at the Arts Theatre in London
Photo: © Roy Tan
This spring Anita Dobson will star in the world premiere of a new play based on the long-running feud between Hollywood movie stars Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.
Bette & Joan by Anton Burge will star Anita Dobson and Greta Scacchi as the famous movie icons, at the Arts Theatre from 5 May to 25 June 2011. The show will be directed by Bill Alexander.
Anita Dobson’s theatre credits include the title role in the UK tour of Hello Dolly and her 2004 Whatsonstage award-winning performance in Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Also Budgie, with Adam Faith, Tom Stoppard’s Rough Crossing, My Lovely Shayna Maidel and Gertrude in the English Touring Theatre production of Hamlet. She was last seen on stage in Tim Firth’s West End production of Calendar Girls.
On TV her best known role is as Angie in BBC serial drama EastEnders. Other credits include Red Dwarf, Rab C Nesbitt, Split Ends, Dangerfield, Sunburn, Casualty, Holby City, Hotel Babylon, The Last Detective, The Stretch, Urban Gothic and The Bill. Film work includes Sweet Revenge.
Book tickets to Bette & Joan at the Arts Theatre in London
First Look Photos: Bette and Joan at the Arts Theatre starring Anita Dobson and Greta Scacchi
April 18, 2011
A publicity still has been released for new play Bette & Joan, which will tackle the long-running feud between Hollywood stars Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.
Bette & Joan, a play by Anton Burge, will have its world premiere at the Arts Theatre from 5 May 2011 starring Anita Dobson and Greta Scacchi as the famous movie icons. The show will be directed by Bill Alexander, whose credits include the RSC, National Theatre and annual West End Christmas show The Snowman.
The publicity still features Anita and Greta “on set” for Bette Davis and Joan Crawford’s 1962 movie Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.
LINKS
Bette & Joan tickets at the Arts Theatre starring Anita Dobson and Greta Scacchi
April 15, 2011
The world premiere of a new play based on the long-running feud between Hollywood movie stars Bette Davis and Joan Crawford starring Anita Dobson and Greta Scacchi.
Alternative casting for Bette & Joan at the Arts Theatre
April 5, 2011
On the back of news that a new play is heading to the West End about Bette Davis and Joan Crawford and their time spent filming classic movie Whatever Happened To Baby Jane, Binkie thought it would be helpful to provide the producers with some alternative casting advice lest Anita Dobson or Greta Scacchi drop out!
And so, we present, Maria Friedman as Baby Jane Hudson (played by Ms Davis), and the divine Tracie Bennett as Blanche (aka Joan Crawford)!
Never let it said we don’t help, even when help isn’t required.
LINKS
Book tickets to Bette & Joan at the Arts Theatre in London
Bette Davis (top) and Maria Friedman
Joan Crawford (top) and Tracie Bennett
Ann Pinnington Productions presents the World Premiere of Bette & Joan by Anton Burge
April 4, 2011
Arts Theatre, London WC2
5th May – 25th June
Renowned actresses Anita Dobson and Greta Scacchi will bring to life the legendary feud between screen divas and rivals Bette Davis and Joan Crawford in the world premiere of Anton Burge’s Bette & Joan, coming to the Arts Theatre from 5th May for a seven week season.
Directed by acclaimed director Bill Alexander, the production portrays the stars at low points in their careers who meet on the set of the now classic film ‘Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, the high-risk shocker which became a surprise hit that propelled them back to stardom. It focuses on one day in the life of the screen goddesses, with an almost 30 year rivalry behind them, but who discover some surprising similarities that lead to a greater understanding of each other. It also reveals the shocking way in which women in the film business, even major stars like Davis and Crawford, were treated.
Anita Dobson, probably best known for the role of Angie Watts in TV’s Eastenders, will play the legendary Joan Crawford, a glamorous, vulnerable and alcoholic star. She is joined by Greta Scacchi, who won an Emmy Award for her work as Empress Alexandra of Russia in the television film Rasputin. Greta will play great actress Bette Davis, funny, difficult but always supremely professional.
Mig Kimpton, Arts Theatre Executive Director said “We are proud to host the world premiere of Bette & Joan – cast with two great theatrical talents, Greta Scacchi and Anita Dobson – an intriguing new play about Bette Davis and Joan Crawford by Anton Burge which promises to be a real insight into two of Hollywood’s greatest icons”
Anita Dobson’s theatre credits include the title role in the UK tour of Hello Dolly and her 2004 Whatsonstage.com award-winning performance in Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Shaftesbury Theatre. She was last seen on stage in Tim Firth’s West End production of Calendar Girls.
Greta Scacchi starred in Michael Blakemore’s West End production of Uncle Vanya and her other recent stage credits include the Peter Hall directed production of Bath Theatre Royal’s Private Lives. Film work includes Heat and Dust, The Ebony Tower, White Mischief and The Player. In 1996 she was nominated for a Golden Globe for Rasputin and she was also nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Broken Trail in 2007.
Anton Burge is an actor and writer, whose first play, Whatever Happened to the Cotton Dress Girl?, also about Bette Davis, premiered in 2008 at the New End Theatre, starring Paula Wilcox. Other plays include Though I was a Wonderful Actress, No One Would Engage Me Twice, a study of the celebrated Edwardian actress Mrs. Patrick Campbell; the musical G & I~ Going into Battle with Gertrude Lawrence (New End); Fanny’s Burning, about the cookery writer Fanny Cradock and Lady Mosley’s Suite, a study of Diana Mosley’s time in Holloway prison, due to be produced in 2012. He is also at work on a biography of Bette Davis: A Life Lived in Melodrama and a book of interviews of actress’ interpretations of Queen Elizabeth I: Portraying Elizabeth.
Bill Alexander is an award winning theatre director who began his career at the Bristol Old Vic, directing everything from the classics to innovative drama. He joined the RSC in 1977 and remained there as Resident and then Associate Director until 1992. He was Artistic Director of the Birmingham Rep between 1992 and 2001, when he left to pursue his freelance career. Recent freelance directing credits include Glamour (Nottingham Playhouse); The School of Night (revival – Mark Taper Forum, LA); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Zurich Ballet); King Lear (RSC, starring Corin Redgrave); Mappa Mundi and Frozen (both NT). Bill’s productions have won numerous awards including Best Director at the Olivier Awards for The Merry Wives of Windsor for the RSC. Bill has also lectured extensively on Shakespeare all over the world. His production of The Snowman is performed in London’s West End every year.
Release issued by: Arthur Leone PR
LINKS
Book tickets to Bette & Joan at the Arts Theatre in London
Bette & Joan world premiere at Arts Theatre with Anita Dobson and Greta Scacchi
March 29, 2011
The world premiere of a new play based on the long-running feud between Hollywood movie stars Bette Davis and Joan Crawford is to come to London this Spring.
Bette Davis and Joan Crawford in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Bette & Joan by Anton Burge will star Anita Dobson and Greta Scacchi as the famous movie icons, at the Arts Theatre from 5 May to 25 June 2011. The show will be directed by Bill Alexander, whose credits include the RSC, National Theatre and annual West End Christmas show The Snowman.
Anton Burge is returning to a subject he covered in 2008 with his first play Whatever Happened to the Cotton Dress Girl?, which starred Paula Wilcox as Bette Davis at the New End Theatre.
Bette & Joan is set during the making of their 1961 movie Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? and revisits their infamous fifty-year feud.
A Radio 4 play, Bette and Joan and Baby Jane, ran last year starring Catherine Tate and written by Tracy-Ann Oberman and also told the story of the making of Baby Jane and of the origins of their deep seated hatred.
The play forms part of a new season at the Arts, with other shows including Park Avenue Cat by Frank Strausser, directed by Glen Watford. Current shows at the venue include Woody Sez, which ends its run this Saturday, 2 April 2011, and A Guide to Sexual Misery starring Wolfgang Weinberger.
LINKS
Book tickets to Bette & Joan at the Arts Theatre in London
Woody Sez tickets at the Arts Theatre
February 4, 2011
The award-winning, foot-stomping, heartfelt theatrical journey through the life of America’s greatest folk icon, Woody Guthrie, featuring classic tunes such as This Land is Your Land and Bound for Glory.
Woody Sez – Reviews Round-Up
January 19, 2011
Reviews round-up of Woody Sez at the Arts Theatre in London
Woody Sez at the Arts Theatre
The award-winning, foot-stomping stage bio of American folk icon Woody Guthrie is much applauded by the London critics.
The show weaves together Guthrie’s words and songs to tell the fascinating story of his life. The talented cast are all multi-instrument-playing musicians, singers and actors, and you can see how artists such as Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison and Billy Bragg came to idolize the man.
See round-ups of reviews below from the Guardian, FT, Evening Standard, The Stage and the Telegraph.
Book tickets to Woody Sez at the Arts Theatre in London
Arts Theatre in London – Map
October 11, 2010
A London map highlighting the location of the Arts Theatre, Great Newport Street, London, WC2H 7JB
Read more about the theatre, including What’s On, Journey Planner, Seating Plan, Parking and Transport
Back to all London Maps of Theatres
View westendtheatre.com – West End Theatres in a larger map
Opening this week: Onassis, Flashdance
October 11, 2010
This week’s West End openings range from classic American drama to modern Greek tragedy, with Pittsburgh flashdancing and West End blues thrown in. Plus the 80th birthday of a Wicked West End theatre.
THE COUNTRY GIRL
Opening tonight, Monday 11 October, at the Apollo Theatre is Clifford Odets’s classic drama The Country Girl, about a once-great theatre star who is given the chance to make a major comeback.
Jenny Seagrove and Martin Shaw reunite on stage after their onscreen appearance in Judge John Deed to star in the show.
Special offer: Book tickets to The Country Girl at the Apollo Theatre
ONASSIS
On Tuesday 12 October at the Novello Theatre Robert Lindsay opens in Onassis, playing controversial Greek tycoon Aristotle in Martin Sherman’s new play. Based on the last years of this life, this powerful drama reveals his passionate and interwoven relationships with Jackie Kennedy and Maria Callas, and his son Alexandros. Stand-out supporting performances come from Anna Francolini as Callas and Lydia Leonard as Jackie.
Special offer: Book tickets to Onassis at the Novello Theatre
FLASHDANCE THE MUSICAL
Despite technical problems with the rain machine that postponed the start of previews, Flashdance the Musical is set for a trouble-free first night on Thursday 14 October at the Shaftesbury Theatre.
Based on the 80s movie about an 18 year old girl from Pittsburgh who is a welder by day and a ‘flashdancer” by night, the musical features the star of the UK tour, Victoria Hamilton Barritt, and former Busted boyband member Matt Willis. Grease producer David Ian is the man behind the show, with direction by Nikolai Foster and choreography by the ubiquitous Arlene Phillips. The show’s well-known score includes Maniac, Manhunt, Gloria and the Academy Award winning title song Flashdance – What a Feeling. Ten original songs have also been created for the musical.
Special Offer: Book tickets to Flashdance the Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre
THE BARBER OF SEVILLE
Thursday also sees the opening night for the new venture at the King’s Head pub theatre in Islington: London’s Little Opera House opens with a new version of The Barber of Seville, directed by Robin Norton-Hale. Artistic director Adam Spreadbury-Maher is promising an exciting season of opera on a small scale including Madame Butterfly as a Bangkok lady-boy.
Book tickets to The Barber of Seville at London’s Little Opera House
THE MUSIC OF THE BLUES BROTHERS – A TRIBUTE
Finally, on Friday 15 October Hartshorn – Hook Productions presents ‘The Music of the Blues Brothers – a Tribute’, the most electric rock’n'roll party of the year. Following spectacular success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer with a month of sell-out shows and 5-star reviews, this raucous live tribute show is now rolling into London. This Tribute is directed by the award-winning Patrick Wilde and is backed by the tightest rhythm and blues band in the city. We tear through the best in American Blues, Soul and Rock’n'Roll classics including Gimme Some Lovin, Think, Minnie The Moocher, Sweet Home Chicago, and Jailhouse Rock. So dig out your sunglasses and get ready to shake your tail feather because this supercharged high-octane Tribute is about to take London by storm.
Books tickets to The Music of the Blues Brothers – A Tribute
APOLLO VICTORIA THEATRE
Friday also sees the 80th birthday of the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London. Celebrations have included an all-star charity gala yesterday, Sunday 10 October, featuring the cast of the venue’s current show, Wicked, and past productions including Starlight Express. The Apollo Victoria forms part of a historic year for West End theatres, with a number of venues celebrating their 80th anniversaries this year.
Designed by E. Wamsley Lewis and W E Trent, the Apollo Victoria originally opened as a cinema on 15 October 1930 showing George Arlis movie “Old English”.
