About the Project
Sisters and Hollywood actresses Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine have had a tumultuous relationship their entire life. From battling for their mother’s affection to fighting over men to competing over parts, Olivia and Joan have never seen eye to eye. However, in 1969, out of sheer
desperation, Olivia invites Joan to her apartment in Paris. She has run out of money and needs her younger sister’s help. This play would be a fictional and comedic take on what exactly went down that day in Olivia’s flat on Rue Benouville.
Olivia de Havilland is the seemingly sweet yet sort of manipulative actress who gained worldwide fame for her role as Melanie Hamilton in Gone with the Wind. After countless movies and two Academy Awards, Olivia’s now 53 and doesn’t work as much anymore. With a sick son and an extravagant lifestyle, she’s officially broke. Olivia really doesn’t want to ask her sister for help but desperate times call for desperate measures.
Joan Fontaine is the headstrong but neglected sister who when deciding to become an actress was forced to change her last name so as not to interfere with Olivia’s career. Although even without much familial support, Joan’s been wildly successful. Not only did she win the Best Actress Oscar before Olivia (who just so happened to also be nominated that year!) but she got married before her older sister too. Thanks to smart investments, Joan’s currently very well of and living in Bel Air. It fills her with much delight that Olivia’s in such a sticky predicament. What goes around comes around.
Production Team
