 The Dresser is based on Ronald Harwood's own experiences as a dresser to distinguished English Shakespearean actor-manager Sir Donald Wolfit, whose character is represented by “Sir” in the play. The last of the great breed of English actor-managers, “Sir” is in a bad way tonight. As his dresser tries valiantly to prepare him to go on stage as King Lear, he is having great difficulty remembering who and where he is, let alone Lear’s lines. His dresser, Norman, is a fussbudgit who has served the actor faithfully for 16 years. His job is not only to dress the man but to massage his ego, remind him of his opening lines, and even provide the sound effects for the storm scene. The play was first presented in London, and was nominated for Best Play at the Laurence Olivier Awards for 1980. The play opened on Broadway the next year and was nominated for the 1982 Tony Award for Best Play.
“A stirring evening [that] ... burns with a love of the theatre that conquers all.... Perfectly observed, devilishly entertaining backstage lore.” —New York Times.
The play was made into a film in 1983 based on a screenplay by Harwood. The film was directed by Peter Yates and starred Albert Finney, Tom Courtenay, Eileen Atkins, Michael Gough, and Edward Fox.
As the two central characters, David Wright and Michael P. Watkins each bring strong resumes to their roles. David Wright is a newcomer to VLT; he lists his favorite past roles as Prospero (The Tempest), Hubert (King John), James Tyrone (Long Day’s Journey Into Night), Jack (The Weir), and Scrooge (Inspecting Carol). His directing credits include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Star-Spangled Girl, The Fantasticks, The Medium, and The Telephone. Michael Watkins is well-known to local audiences for his directing and acting skills in many productions at VLT, Actor’s Cabaret, and in other local theaters.
More info on playwright/screenwriter Ronald Harwood at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Harwood |
