Anton Burge’s deliciously wicked two-hander rips back the curtain on the set where egos clashed, tempers flared, and a legendary feud hit boiling point.
AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE
In Hollywood’s Golden Age, two queens reigned supreme — Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Before What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? lit up cinemas, their off-camera rivalry was already a blockbuster.
Anton Burge’s deliciously wicked two-hander pulls back the curtain on the set where egos clashed, tempers flared, and a legendary feud hit boiling point.
With Jeanette Cronin (DARK VOYAGER) as Bette Davis and Lucia Mastrantone (MASTER CLASS) as Joan Crawford, take a front row seat to an iconic battle of barbs, ambition and brilliance. BETTE & JOAN captures the vulnerability and venom of two extraordinary women fighting for relevance — and one last moment in the spotlight.
For group bookings of 10+, please email boxoffice@ensemble.com.au or call 02 8918 3400.
Arts professionals (MEAA, AWG members, etc.) check your Ensemble Industry Insider eligibility.
For school groups, please complete our 2026 Education Online Booking Form.
Prices are correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice.
| 2026 SINGLE TICKET PRICING | PREVIEWS | IN SEASON |
|---|---|---|
| FULL PRICE | $90 | $95 |
| SENIORS CARD | $87 | $92 |
| PENSIONER | $83 | $88 |
| GROUP 10 - 19 | $83 | $88 |
| GROUP 20+ | $78 | $83 |
| FULL-TIME STUDENT / UNDER 30s | $46 | $46 |
| INDUSTRY INSIDER / MEAA / AWG | $46 | $46 |
| SCHOOL GROUP | $25 | $25 |
"Full of wise cracks and one liners" West End Theatre
"Good dirty fun" Theatre Guide London
Anton Burge
Writer and actor Anton Burge has written eight plays for women, all focusing on the lives of celebrated women of the 19th and 20th centuries, including WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE COTTON DRESS GIRL? Starring Paula Wilcox, G & I {both New End Theatre, Hampstead}, BETTE & JOAN starring Greta Scacchi and Anita Dobson {West End and UK tour}, STORM IN A FLOWER VASE starring Penny Downie {West End}, MRS. PAT starring Dame Penelope Keith {Chichester Festival Theatre} and FANNY’S BURNING! {Frinton Summer Theatre}.
Readings of his work include LADY MOSLEY’S SUITE starring Emilia Fox and Patricia Hodge {Trafalgar Theatre}, CURTSY! starring Greta Scacchi and Sophie Ward {Park Theatre} and YEAR OF THE VIRGIN starring Sian Thomas {Charing Cross Theatre}.
BETTE & JOAN has been regularly performed worldwide and is currently playing in Germany.
His new play, THE WARRING WIVES OF WINDSOR will open next year.
He is also the author of Portraying Elizabeth: Elizabeth I on Stage & Screen, including interviews with Dame Eileen Atkins, Glenda Jackson, Dame Harriet Walter and Miranda Richardson.
His biography of Bette Davis, A Life Lived in Melodrama, Bette Davis in 134 Characters was published by Fantom Books in 2024.
Turning into ‘The Lady’: Margaret Thatcher on Stage & Screen, including interviews with Patricia Hodge, Dame Maureen Lipman, Angela Thorne and Haydn Gwynne will be published later this year.
He is currently at work on a biography of Diana Mosley.
BETTE & JOAN, STORM IN A FLOWER VASE and MRS. PAT are all published by Samuel French. Ltd.
Liesel Badorrek
Ensemble Theatre: THE HALF-LIFE OF MARIE CURIE, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, MASTERCLASS. CDP Theatre Producers: THE LAND OF LOST THINGS, RATBURGER, ARE WE THERE YET, MAGIC BEACH, SPOT, GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU, THE TREEHOUSE SERIES (26, 52, 78, 91), HORRIBLE HARRIET. Critical Stages: ALPHABETICAL SYDNEY. Loose Canon Arts: TRASH ALCHEMY, DARLINGWOOD TALES, MONKEYSHINES, SCHNECKENUDEL. Opera Australia: CARMEN ON COCKATOO ISLAND, Director/Librettist: CINDERELLA, EL KID, BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON, Revival Director: ERNANI, MADAMA BUTTERFLY, LA BOHEME. Assistant Director: WEST SIDE STORY, LA BOHEME. Send For Productions/ Sydney Festival: SEND FOR NELLIE. Sydney Art Quartet: THE DARKENING ECLIPTIC. Vivid: Creator: WINDOW DRESSING. Australia/NZ Associate Director: TALL STORIES (UK). Meneer Monster: DE WAANZINNIGE BOOMHUT VAN 13 VERDIEPINGEN (The Netherlands). CDP/Tong: KLOKWERK (China) 2023 Churchill Fellowship Recipient.
Jessica Fallico
Directing- Culture Shock Theatrical: BLACKLISTED (Sydney & Adelaide). Dancing Dog Productions: THE MOORS. The Old Fitz: FUCCBOIS LIVE IN CONCERT. Riverside Theatre: KINKY BOOTS, MAMMA MIA, LEGALLY BLONDE, SHREK, WICKED. Theatre Works, Melbourne: BROTHERS BARE. Tunks Productions: BITCH. P-Square: BLACKLISTED (Karachi & Lahore, Pakistan). Assistant Directing & Directorial Observation- Ensemble Theatre: BETTE AND JOAN, TOPSILK, SWITZERLAND. John Frost | Crossroads Live: CLUEDO. Hayes Theatre Company: H.M.S PINAFORE. Hayes Theatre Company & NGP Productions: THE LIFE OF US. Monkey Baa Studio | George Kemp & Hayden Tonazzi Production: SHACK. Theatre Works: SOLDIER BOY. Awards: Sandra Bates Directors Award, Broadway World Award- Best Direction of a Musical.
Jeanette Cronin
Ensemble Theatre: DARK VOYAGER, THE CAVALCADERS. Bell Shakespeare Company: THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. Brisbane Festival: LOVE STORIES. Brisbane International Fringe Festival: ANNA ROBI AND THE HOUSE OF DOGS. Christine Dunstan Productions: TIM. Griffin Theatre: THE BOYS, BUG, HOLDING THE MAN. King’s Head Theatre: QUEEN BETTE. Merrigong Theatre: LETTERS TO LINDY. New York International Fringe Festival: REASONABLE DOUBT. Queensland Theatre: RETURN TO THE DIRT. Theater Row: WHO THE HELL IS A MIRABEL?. Theatre of Image: BRETT AND WENDY – A LOVE STORY BOUND BY ART. Sydney Theatre Company: A DOLL’S HOUSE, THE WHITE DEVIL. Film: CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM, THE BOYS, BLACK ROCK, TERRANOVA. Television: DARBY & JOAN, GOOD COP BAD COP, THE TOURIST, RAKE.
Lucia Mastrantone
Ensemble Theatre: MASTER CLASS. Theatre: Belvoir: LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI, THE CHERRY ORCHARD, ATLANTIS, TWELFTH NIGHT, THE BOOK OF EVERYTHING, SCORCHED, MACBETH, MY VICIOUS ANGEL, UNDER THE INFLUENCE (Co-production Legs On The Wall) POPULAR MECHANICALS 1 & 2 and LOVE AND MAGIC IN MAMMAS KITCHEN. Sydney Theatre Company: THE SHIRALEE, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEIING EARNEST, THE HARP IN THE SOUTH, TALK, MARRIAGE BLANC, ROMEO AND JULIET, TALE-MAKER. Griffin: JAILBABY, WINDOW-CRICKET-BAT, DEAD CAT BOUNCE, KILL CLIMATE DENIERS, LADIES DAY. Brink Productions/ STCSA: LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI. Showtunes Productions: LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. Darlinghurst: THE HYPOCHONDRIAC. Hayes: YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. Bell Shakespeare: THE DUCHESS OF MALFI: Melbourne Theatre: THE VENETIAN TWINS. Shaun Parker Dancers: BLUE LOVE. Legs on the Wall: UNDER-THE-INFLUENCE (Edinburgh/Europe Tour). NYID; RUNNING SHOW (Aarhus Festival, Hamburg Expo), Edinburgh Festival 2025: SUMMER OF HAROLD. STCSA: A LITTLE LIKE DROWNING, MERCHANT OF VENICE, SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR, THE ROVER, VERONA AND ROALD DAHL’S LITTLE MISS RED. Television: SIGNIFICANT OTHERS, THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS, THE LETDOWN, HOME AND AWAY, PACIFIC HEAT, RAKE, TANGLE. Film: LOOK-BOTH-WAYS, STEALTH, SPANK. Awards: Humanitarian of the Year, Oscars Critics Best Actress, Queen’s Trust Award.
Grace Deacon
Ensemble Theatre: FLY GIRL, THE GLASS MENAGERIE. Belvoir Street Theatre: NEVER CLOSER, WELL-BEHAVED WOMEN, TIDDAS. 25A Belvoir: HOT TUB, THE ITALIANS, NEVER CLOSER, WHO’S AFRAID, AN OX STOOD ON MY TONGUE, DESTROY, SHE SAID. Arts Centre Melbourne: LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. Melbourne Comedy Festival: NOT TODAY, SENSER. Kings Cross Theatre: AUSTRALIAN OPEN. Theatreworks: PEAR SHAPED, SENSER, PAPER STARS. International Grammar school : MAMMA MIA THE MUSICAL. Film: FROM ALL SIDES, THE HORRIFIC MURDER OF GRIGORI RASPUTIN. Television: DANCING WITH THE STARS (BBC). GLADIATORS, THE MASKED SINGER (Warner Bros). Awards: William Fletcher Foundation Scholarship, Peter Ivany Scholarship for Excellence in Design, Sydney Theatre Awards (2023, 2024). Training: National Institute of Dramatic Art (Bachelor of Design for Performance, Masters of Design).
Kelsey Lee
Ensemble Theatre: Lighting Designer: MASTER CLASS, THE MEMORY OF WATER, A LETTER FOR MOLLY, UNQUALIFIED 2: STILL UNQUALIFIED, KILLING KATIE, OUTDATED. Costume Designer: SWITZERLAND. Other: Lighting Designer: Sydney Theatre Company: 4000 MILES. Melbourne Theatre Company: DESTINY. Belvoir Street Theatre: BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY, WELL BEHAVED WOMEN, CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME, A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN. Bell Shakespeare: COMEDY OF ERRORS. Griffin Theatre Company: THE LEWIS TRILOGY, SEX MAGICK, WHITEFELLA YELLA TREE. Australian Theatre for Young People: APRIL AARDVARK. 25A Belvoir: LIFE IS A DREAM, AN OX STAND ON MY TONGUE, DESTROY SHE SAID, EXTINCTION OF THE LEARNED RESPONSE. Force Majeure: GURR ERA OP. Hayes Theatre: TELL ME ON A SUNDAY. Marrugeku: MUTIARA. National Theatre of Parramatta: QUEEN FATIMA. Set & Costume Designer: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO SELF DEFENCE, NOTHING. Sydney Dance Company: SPELL, SOMOS. Set, Costume & Lighting Designer: Australian Chamber Orchestra: THERES A SEA IN MY BEDROOM, WILFRED GORDON MCDONALD PARTRIDGE.
Ross Johnston
Ensemble Theatre: Debut. CDP Theatre Producers: TREEHOUSE series, THE RATBURGER, HORRIBLE HARRIET, SPOT and THE LAND OF LOST THINGS. Belvoir St Theatre: BELVOIR YOUTH EXPRESS. Darlinghurst Theatre Company: OPEN FOR INSPECTION. 504 Producers: RISKY LUNAR LOVE. Kings Cross Hotel: MUMS IN STORIES FROM RAZORHURST. Piccolo Bar: PICCOLO TALES. Other productions: DICTIONARY BY A BITCH, THE NO CHANCE IN HELL MOTEL, OH MY GOD I HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED AND I HATE WHAT I’M WEARING, THE STALLION OF DEATH, GETTING DOWN WITH MAVIS BROWN, MONKEYSHINES. TRASH ALCHEMY, SILENT NIGHT. Film: GETTING SQUARE, UNSEEN, MOURNERS and JESUS, MARY AND JASON. Awards: IF Award: GETTING SQUARE.
Cameron Smith
Ensemble Theatre; Video Designer: THE HALF-LIFE OF MARIE CURIE, PRIMARY TRUST. Bangarra Dance Theatre; Associate Video Designer: KULKA. December Theatre Co: Composer and Sound Designer; PORT. FooFrame Productions: Sound Designer; A CHINESE CHRISTMAS. Hayes Theatre Co: Associate Sound Designer; PIRATES OF PENZANCE. Legit Theatre Co.; Sound Designer: FURIOUS MATTRESS. Lost Thought Arts; Composer and Sound Designer: ONE WHO WANTS TO CROSS. NIDA Production Seasons: Video Designer; DRACULA, ICARUS, WHEN THE RAIN STOPS FALLING, Sound Designer; PAGLIACCI, GOD OF CARNAGE, Video and Sound Designer; DIANA. Pinchgut Opera: Video Programmer: PLEASURES OF VERSAILLES, MEMBRA JESU NOSTRI. Queen Hades Productions: Composer and Sound Designer; POSH. Ratcatch: Video Designer; THE LINDEN SOLUTION. Soft Tread: Sound and Video Designer; WHARF REVUE 2024: THE END OF THE WHARF AS WE KNOW IT, WHARF REVUE 2023: PRIDE IN PREJUDICE, WHARF REVUE 2022: LOOKING FOR ALBANESE. Sydney Dance Co: Sound Programmer; NEW BREED 2025, NEW BREED 2024, INDANCE 2024, NEW BREED 2023, PPY 2025, PPY 2023. Sydney Theatre Co: Video Supervisor; LIFESPAN OF A FACT, STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE, Video Editor; JULIUS CAESAR. Television: Video Editor; DESSERT MASTERS, MASTERCHEF.
Krystelle Quartermain
Ensemble Theatre: PRIMARY TRUST, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, KILLING KATIE: CONFESSIONS OF A BOOKCLUB (Stage Management Secondment). Australian Theatre for Young People: THE DEB. Belvoir Street Theatre: WELL-BEHAVED WOMEN, MEOW MEOW’S THE RED SHOES. DV Live: LOVE ACTUALLY? THE MUSICAL PARODY. Force Majeure: GURR ERA OP. Great Big Events: SCHOOL OF ROCK: THE ARENA MUSICAL. Hayes Theatre: TELL ME ON A SUNDAY. Legs On The Wall: BEETLE, WAVERIDER. Neglected Musicals: IF/THEN, THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG; PROMISES, PROMISES; THE APPLE TREE. Randwick City Council: COOGEE CHRISTMAS CAROLS. Sydney Festival 2025: SIEGFRIED & ROY: THE UNAUTHORISED OPERA. Sydney Opera House: JAMES GALEA’S BEST TRICK EVER. Sydney Theatre Company: STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE; THE GOAT OR, WHO IS SYLVIA? Training: National Institute of Dramatic Art, Bachelor of Fine Arts Technical Theatre and Stage Management 2021.
Lara Kyriazis
Ensemble Theatre: DIAL M FOR MURDER, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, MCGUFFIN PARK, THE MEMORY OF WATER. The New Theatre: THE FLEA. Hayes Theatre Company: THE PIGEONS (With The Other Theatre). National Institute of Dramatic Art: 21 CHUMP STREET, EPHEMERA, MUSICAL THEATRE AND STAGE AND SCREEN SHOWCASE, TECHNICAL ARTISRTY SHOWCASE. Triple J: UNEARTHED PROJECT (with DICE). Frensham School: ME AND MY GIRL, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, GREASE, CLUE, THE BFG. Training: Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services at National Institute of Dramatic Art.
Renata Beslik
Ensemble Theatre: FLY GIRL, HOW TO PLOT A HIT IN TWO DAYS, TRUE WEST, ARIA, UNCLE VANYA, MASTER CLASS, ULSTER AMERICAN, SWITZERLAND, ALONE IT STANDS, THE GREAT DIVIDE, THE MEMORY OF WATER, SUMMER OF HAROLD, MR BAILEY’S MINDER, BENEFACTORS, RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA, THE CARETAKER, PHOTOGRAPH 51, THE ONE, OUTDATED, CRUNCH TIME, BABY DOLL, FOLK, LUNA GALE,
and many more. Bell Shakespeare: HENRY V, THE WINTER’S TALE, MACBETH. Belvoir St Theatre: FANGIRLS. New Theatricals: DARKNESS. National Institute of Dramatic Art: THE GOVERNMENT
INSPECTOR, STAY HAPPY KEEP SMILING, THE TEMPEST, WOYCECK, A LIE OF THE MIND, PORT, THE THREESOME. Pinchgut Opera: THE FAIRY QUEEN, JULIUS CAESAR, RINALDO, MÉDÉE, PLATÉE and many more. Sydney Festival: BETTY BLOKKBUSTER RE-IMAGINED. Australian Chamber Orchestra: THE NUTCRACKER.
What ever happened ON What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
The stories regarding Bette Davis and her – supposed – archnemesis Joan Crawford are the stuff of Hollywood legend. Yes, while filming the classic What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962), it was reported that Joan tied weights to herself when Bette had to lift her, because Bette had recently broken her back. Yes, apparently, Bette’s stiletto heel made contact with Joan’s skull when Bette had to kick her across the floor during filming. Yes, when the two were paired up for another movie (eventually Joan was replaced by Olivia de Havilland), Bette ordered Coca-Cola dispensers for the set because she couldn’t stand the taste of Pepsi-Cola (Joan at that time was on the board of Pepsi-Cola, her late husband’s company). And yes, it was recorded that when Bette was nominated for an Oscar for Baby Jane, and Joan wasn’t, Joan campaigned against Bette, even going so far as telling the other nominees that if they couldn’t attend the ceremony, she would be delighted to collect the Oscar on their behalf. When Anne Bancroft won and couldn’t attend, Joan did just that.
BETTE & JOAN – first performed in the West End in 2011 – deals with much of this, but it was never my intention to create merely a catalogue of anecdotes. I was more interested in the position of older actresses in Hollywood at that time and the similarities between the two women, however emphatically Bette stated, “We had absolutely nothing in common!”
It might be argued that much has changed in the business for women since 1962, especially recently, but there is still progress to be made, particularly regarding actresses of that ‘certain age’. Both Bette and Joan were considered by producers to be over the hill in their forties, making the success of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, made when they were in their fifties, even more remarkable and satisfying for them.
Since my play’s debut, it has gone on to be performed regularly worldwide, and I am delighted that it is now having this run at the celebrated Ensemble Theatre, with a company who believe in the story of these women and their struggle, beyond the anecdotes.
Anton Burge, London 2026
Learn more about Bette Davis and Joan Crawford by Anton Burge
Bette Davis
Born: Ruth Elizabeth Davis, April 5th, 1908. Named after Balzac’s Cousin Bette, though insisted her name be pronounced Betty
Broadway Debut: BROKEN DISHES, 1929
Hollywood Debut: BAD SISTER, 1930
Breakthrough Role: THE MAN WHO PLAYED GOD, 1932
Stardom: OF HUMAN BONDAGE, 1934
11 Oscar Nominations, 2 Wins
First female recipient of the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award (1977)
President of The Academy of Motions Picture Arts & Sciences (1941) President of The Hollywood Canteen (1942-45)
Final Film: WICKED STEPMOTHER, 1989
Marriages 4, Children 3
Died: October 6th, 1989
Career defining performance: Margo Channing in ALL ABOUT EVE, 1950
Moto: “No guts, no glory”
Joan Crawford
Born: Lucille Fay LeSueur, March 9th, 19?? Named Joan Crawford after an MGM fan write-in competition, the studio feeling LeSueur sounded like “sewer”
Broadway Debut: INNOCENT EYES, 1924
Hollywood Debut: LADY OF THE NIGHT, 1925
Breakthrough Role: THE UNKNOWN, 1927
Stardom: OUR DANCING DAUGHTERS, 1928
3 Oscar Nominations, 1 win
First female appointee to the Board of Directors of Pepsi-Cola, and Goodwill
Ambassador for Pepsi-Cola (1959-1973)
U.S.O. Woman of the Year, 1965
Final Film: TROG, 1970
Marriages 4, Children 4
Died: May 10th, 1977
Career defining performance: Mildred Pierce in MILDRED PIERCE 1945
Moto: “If you want the girl next door, go next door”
Audio Described
- Thu 9 Apr 11am
- Sat 11 Apr 3pm
Q&A Sessions
- Tue 31 Mar 11am
- Fri 17 Apr 7.30pm
Free Teen Night
- Wed 22 Apr 7.30pm
To book, please contact the Box Office on (02) 8918 3400 or email boxoffice@ensemble.com.au
Our friends at Hayden Orpheum are screening What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, the iconic film that shone the spotlight on the infamous feud between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.
Don’t miss your chance to relive this psychological thriller on the big screen on Sunday 15 March at 3pm, then experience the drama live on Ensemble’s stage from 20 March – 25 April.
Book your cinema tickets now: https://www.orpheum.com.au/movie/what-ever-happened-to-baby-jane