THINK Hollywood glamour and black and white films and two of the most gossiped about female stars of that era and you are almost bound to picture Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.

They are probably wearing turbans, fur stoles and killer stilettos and delivering crushing rejoinders to the clamouring press.

Delve deeper and you may have a hazy memory of a book, Mommie Dearest, penned by Crawford’s daughter, which hailed her as a monstrously abusive alcoholic. Or you may have read that Davis disinherited her daughter after she wrote about her mother.

You may also remember some of their Oscar-winning performances and, especially, that creepy film Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? where the two actresses come together to play sisters who live and loathe together in perfect disharmony.

Tweed Theatre’s play, Bette and Joan, takes place during the making of that film. Now, the glamour and glitter has faded and the two stars are hoping for a successful movie to restore their flagging careers, though they are somewhat taken aback by their shabby dressing rooms at the back of the film lot. This is where the play takes place.

The actors are portrayed by Elizabeth O’Raw and Sara Innes in a full length, two act play, directed by Anne Taylor.

“The actors were chosen for their ability to get under the skins of these Hollywood icons,” said Anne. “I want the audience to see their frailties as well as their gutsiness and what led to their personal animosity and battles with addiction. I am confident that our two actors have achieved just that and the audience will have a superb evening’s entertainment.” The cool and composed Joan Crawford is a contrast to the foul-mouthed Davis as the play begins in their separate dressing rooms. They fling insults and recriminations about like confetti at a wedding, as they prepare for a day’s filming. Crawford’s composure is tested by Davis, so she plots her comeuppance. Davis, however, has an even more cunning counter plan in store to undermine her rival.

The hilarious one-liners and outrageous put downs are batted between dressing rooms. Their dialogue crackles with bawdy humour and icy precision. As the play progresses, we see the demons which gave the actors their place in Hollywood’s Hall of Fame.

Bette and Joan is at the Eastgate Theatre, Peebles, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 19-21 at 7.30 pm. The play contains adult themes and strong language. Tickets from the Box Office 01721 725777.

THINK Hollywood glamour and black and white films and two of the most gossiped about female stars of that era and you are almost bound to picture Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.

They are probably wearing turbans, fur stoles and killer stilettos and delivering crushing rejoinders to the clamouring press.

Delve deeper and you may have a hazy memory of a book, Mommie Dearest, penned by Crawford’s daughter, which hailed her as a monstrously abusive alcoholic. Or you may have read that Davis disinherited her daughter after she wrote about her mother.

You may also remember some of their Oscar-winning performances and, especially, that creepy film Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? where the two actresses come together to play sisters who live and loathe together in perfect disharmony.

Tweed Theatre’s play, Bette and Joan, takes place during the making of that film. Now, the glamour and glitter has faded and the two stars are hoping for a successful movie to restore their flagging careers, though they are somewhat taken aback by their shabby dressing rooms at the back of the film lot. This is where the play takes place.

The actors are portrayed by Elizabeth O’Raw and Sara Innes in a full length, two act play, directed by Anne Taylor.

“The actors were chosen for their ability to get under the skins of these Hollywood icons,” said Anne. “I want the audience to see their frailties as well as their gutsiness and what led to their personal animosity and battles with addiction. I am confident that our two actors have achieved just that and the audience will have a superb evening’s entertainment.” The cool and composed Joan Crawford is a contrast to the foul-mouthed Davis as the play begins in their separate dressing rooms. They fling insults and recriminations about like confetti at a wedding, as they prepare for a day’s filming. Crawford’s composure is tested by Davis, so she plots her comeuppance. Davis, however, has an even more cunning counter plan in store to undermine her rival.

The hilarious one-liners and outrageous put downs are batted between dressing rooms. Their dialogue crackles with bawdy humour and icy precision. As the play progresses, we see the demons which gave the actors their place in Hollywood’s Hall of Fame.

Bette and Joan is at the Eastgate Theatre, Peebles, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 19-21 at 7.30 pm. The play contains adult themes and strong language. Tickets from the Box Office 01721 725777.