In the footsteps of two screen sirens

By 1962, the careers of two of the film world's greatest divas Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, were very much on the wane.

Anton Burge’s new confessional comedy/drama explores what might have taken place in the dressing rooms of the two fading stars with their legendary ongoing feud, when they were thrown together on a B movie backlot to film ’Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? - the iconic feature that propelled them immediately back to super-stardom.

Bill Frye, one of Universal’s producers attempted to get Universal Pictures to make the film with inveterate smoker and profaner Bette Davis in the lead, but they turned it down believing she no longer had box office appeal.

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Consequently, Frye lost the ‘’property’’ to director Robert Aldrich who was able to convince Seven Arts-Warner Brothers to shoot the film with Bette Davis and alcoholic, Joan Crawford.

It was to be the only time the two screen goddesses worked together.

A production of the play in 2012 starred Anita Dobson and Greta Scacchi.

Gilly Walker and Maria Peters take the title roles in the Halifax Thespians production, directed by John Eastwood.

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Gilly is making her debut at the Playhouse Theatre but has much experience in local theatre both at Hebden Bridge and Todmorden Hippodrome Theatre.

Maria has performed with Halifax Thespians on many occasions and is also involved with other groups in the Huddersfield area.

Bette and Joan will be performed at the Halifax Playhouse from Tuesday, May 17 until Saturday, May 21 at 7.30pm. There is a matinee on Saturday afternoon at 2.30pm.

lTickets from Playhouse box office on 01422 365998.