The Screen Test
Seven Dials Playhouse
11-15th Feb 2025
“The Screen Test will take audiences on a fast-paced rollercoaster of Hollywood satire and dark humour, as Bebe Cave returns to London will her hilarious and heartfelt writing debut. Told through a series of “screen tests” for life-changing roles, Betsy will undergo an unpredictable transformation in her unrelenting quest to become a star. This bold and brilliant production will ask audiences, what does “making it” really mean and when are we forced to let the dreams we have go.
Performer and writer for The Screen Test Bebe Cave comments, The Screen Test is a one-woman dark comedy about a neurotic actress in old Hollywood. I think it’s like if a 1930s screwball farce was condensed into a monologue for an hour. It’s a show for anyone who has had a dream, and the delusion that comes with it! Undoubtedly one of the best things that comes from this line of work is the fascinating people that you meet along the way. Performers are all crazy! Each one is like this incredible eco-system of their own, with unique rules and rituals and belief systems. I think it is so human to want to create something, and connect with an audience whatever that ‘thing’ or whoever the ‘audience’ may be. I wanted to explore those ideas in this character, aspiring star Betsy Bitterly, and explore the ways that wanting something, or wanting to ‘be’ something can result in hilariously tragic consequences.”
Review by Richard Lambert, 3 Stars
Bebe Cave knows how to embrace an audience. Starting the show with giving out flowers which are then thrown back at her in adoration was a great ice breaker! Her energy stayed buoyant and fast-paced through the entire 75 minutes. Picking on the front 2 rows and even the usher for validation of her claims throughout the story upped the entertainment even further.
Nothing says “Fringe” more than a lighting rig that has been rigged assymetrically, a few dangling strings of coloured stars, and a back cloth on push-up tripod stands. With some of the back lights focussed on the audience and others hitting the back of the back-cloth, the overall result slightly tatty.
But this does somehow work ok for this show. The video projections are fun and the soundscape works and it is all synchronised well. There is a chiffon cloth attached to a fan allowing for a simple wind effect a la Marilyn Monroe Hollywood. Other than that, it’s a simple show that runs at 90 mph.
Bebe is confident, effervescent and a wonderful character performer. Switching characters and allowing the audience to experience auditions and castings is a great vehicle for her versatility. A fun way to spend an evening watching a young performer bring their work into the public domain.
Photo Credit: Kat Gollock
The Screen Test
Dates 11th – 15th February 2025, 7:30pm
Tickets https://www.sevendialsplayhouse.co.uk/shows/screen-test-bebe-cave
Creative Team
Writer/Performer Bebe Cave (she/her)
Director Millie Foy (she/her)