Me And Jezebel, Brighton Little Theatre, Brighton, until May 24
1:32pm Wednesday 21st May 2008
For an evening of high-quality theatre, it would be surprising if there is anything in the Festival Fringe to beat this witty two-hander and its exquisite acting.
Based on the true story by Elizabeth Fuller, it tells how Bette Davis, during a New York Hotel strike, came to stay for a night and stayed a month.
The events of that time are narrated by Fuller whose naivety and adoration of the famous actress is fully captured in Elena Markahm's performance. Additionally, she also voices several other characters.
However, the evening belongs to Janet Hewlett-Davies as the Hollywood star. She is remarkable from the moment she steps onto the stage, giving a performance of restrained acting that resists the temptation to camp up the role.
Her resemblance is uncanny with facial expressions that speak volumes. All the selfishness and the bitchy one-liners are there, but so is the woman's vulnerability.