Note: This review is from the 2011 Fringe

THEATRE

Showing @ Assembly until 29 August @ 12:15

Released in 1962, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? was iconic not only for its psychological thriller genre, but for uniting two silver screen arch rivals, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Now both long gone, they’re being reunited by Foursight Theatre to relive their sparse highs and countless lows. Bette (Sarah Thom), while on her deathbed, is visited by Joan (Sarah Toogood) who has come to take her to the “other side” – with bucket loads of antagonism thrown in along the way.

Technically this production is spot-on, with carefully timed sound effects such as the clinking of ice on glass or the sparking of a cigarette lighter. There’s a clever use of video projection which appropriately links the action to the silver screen, and effortlessly interacts with the live action despite being pre-recorded. Amy Yardley‘s elaborate set is overflowing with detail, nodding to both Baby Jane and the world of performance in the more intimate setting of the dressing room. Full of different levels and hidden nooks and crannies, this allows the two actresses to give high energy and visually stimulating performances.

Full of nostalgia, the script is interesting, funny and moving all at once. Writer James Greaves has clearly done his homework, including endless references drawn from both films and biographies. Already based in fantasy, the characters slowly develop over the course of the play into their Baby Jane characters, Jane and Blanche, where a quasi-friendship is finally established. But, for any production that imitates real life people, convincing performances are an absolute must. Both Thom and Toogood are unmistakable as Bette and Joan respectively, and manage to encapsulate the essence of the pair, from the tough exteriors to their hidden vulnerabilities. Their cattiness is divinely unashamed, extending from bitchy comments right through to full blown physical violence.

All aspects of this production are of a very high quality; there has clearly been a lot of thought, effort and time poured into it. While many of the references will go over the heads of those unfamiliar with Davis and Crawford, Baby Jane fans will be delighted by the irony and the horror, making this a must-see for lovers of the silver screen.