1971. The dawn of the decade of trash. She's the 63year old Queen of Hollywood. He's the host who gets the guests his rivals can't get near. Meet Bette Davis. Meet Dick Cavett.
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Using verbatim text and studded with some hilariously unPC 70s commercials, BETTE/CAVETT re-imagines one of the most candid TV meetings of all time - sliding down the rose-tinted sunglasses of our perceptions of "the old days" and challenging our tendency to glamorize the past.
Coming up... Ms Davis on - losing her virginity ... We'll be right back!
The Made in Scotland Programming Panel said: An engaging and provocative approach to verbatim theatre, Smeaton's piece was chosen because of the important questions it asks about the changing nature of celebrity in our culture and the relevance of presenting themes surrounding sexuality to an international market.
Fun both as documentary and entertainment.
A timely reminder of [Bette Davis's] appeal.
Seeing two talented actors deliver those wonderful lines live before you takes some beating.
Somehow the combination of star personality, eager-to-please host and period detail gives the small-screen encounter its own kind of theatricality.
Bette/Cavett is an exhilarating and enjoyable experience but it doesn’t reveal so much about Miss Davis: she’s plainly hamming it up for the cameras.
Smeaton captures something raw and visceral about the ageing Davis, her grand gestures and elegant inflexions.
Bette/Cavett
Zoo @ Roxy Art House, Edinburgh from Friday August 6, 2010, until Monday August 30, 2010. 3.05pm. More info: www.zoofestival.co.uk
Tron Theatre, Glasgow from Tuesday November 9, 2010, until Saturday November 13, 2010. More info: www.tron.co.uk