A Captivating Tale of Backstage Drama

The Dresser, by Ronald Harwood, really is a play for theatre lovers, since it tells a story of theatre life, cast and crews, albeit more behind the scenes than in front. Set in 1940s wartime England, we meet a group of “Shakespeareans” - touring groups of actors who travelled up and down the country, playing the Shakespeare classics, night after night, at all the provincial theatres, and, very rarely, a minor London venue if they were lucky. Between the grim boarding houses, draughty station platforms and endless train journeys, it was not a glamorous life, but the love of the art was everything to them.

As war takes hold, this play is witnessing the end of the era for these Shakespearean groups. Young men, who might have once joined the acting companies, were going off instead to the theatre of war and the crumbling small town Victorian theatres were meeting their final insult by being bombed in the enemy action overhead. These were hard times for the Actor-Managers, who were usually also the Principal Player in each production, as they struggled to hold their wits and their Company together.

“Sir” is one such Actor-Manager. Norman, his dresser of many years, fights to keep the show on the road and Sir focussed on the imminent production of King Lear that evening. Despite the many obstacles, including Sir’s frail state of mind and those around him who are predicting the company’s final demise, a mixture of love for his charge and fear for his own future propels Norman on to making the play happen that night, but at what cost?

Ronald Harwood is in an excellent position to bring us this play, having served for some years as Dresser to Sir Donald Wolfitt, an Actor-Manager of some distinction, who was particularly known for his portrayal of King Lear, as well as having a distinguished film career (including Lawrence Of Arabia andThe Charge of the Light Brigade). The author clearly understands this world and the people who inhabit it, and he gives us an authentic and fond insight into all the drama of the behind the scenes lives they lead.

The Dresser was first performed in 1980 at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, before transferring to the West End. With Tom Courtenay as Norman and Emmerdale’s Freddie Jones (Sandy) as “Sir”, the play was a hit with audiences and critics alike. It was nominated for Best Play at the Society of West End Theatre Awards (now known as the Laurence Olivier Awards) for 1980. It then moved to Broadway in 1981 where it ran for over a 200 performances. Somehow, Tom Courtenay found time to portray Norman in the 1983 film adaptation, this time with Albert Finney as “Sir”.

More recently, it was revived in the West End in 2016 with Reece Shearsmith and Ken Stott, and the BBC adapted it for television in 2015 with Anthony Hopkins and Ian McKellen. Freddie Jones wasn’t left out, though. In 1993, he played “Sir” in a BBC Radio 4 production with Micheal Palin in the role of Norman.

Now, it’s Stage Two’s turn to bring this captivating play to life. The Dresser is a bittersweet tale presented with full on wit, hilarity, pathos and great tenderness. As we said at the beginning - a perfect play for theatre lovers.

Interval Refreshments

There will once again be a bar selling glasses of prosecco (and equally nice non-alcoholic alternatives) during the interval or each performance.

Pre-Theatre Meal at The Assheton Arms

We are delighted that once again The Assheton Arms in Downham will be offering a pre-theatre meal exclusively for Stage Two Downham ticket holders.

They will provide a two course meal for just £20, and will also make sure your meal is complete in time for you to make short journey to Downham Village Hall. Once you have bought your theatre tickets, call The Assheton Arms on 01200 439699 to reserve your table.