Comedy that lifts the lid on luvviedom
The Dresser is an evocative, perceptive and hilarious portrait of backstage life, a classic of modern theatre, and is coming to the South Hams village from November 19 to 21.
Author Ronald Harwood based his play on his experiences as dresser to Sir Donald Wolfit.
It's 1942, bombs are raining down and the lights are going out all over Europe: except, that is, in a provincial theatre in England where, despite the war, most able-bodied actors being in uniform and bombs destroying theatres, the show must go on because the redoubtable actor-manager 'Sir' says it must.
The show is King Lear and Sir is about to make his 216th appearance in this most demanding of roles: but with 30 minutes to curtain-up Sir, lion of the stage and last bastion of the old touring tradition, is crumbling, and his devoted dresser Norman must once again rally this fading star whose grip on sanity is becoming increasingly precarious.
For 16 years Norman has been massaging Sir's ego, fixing Sir's wig, reminding Sir of his opening lines and even providing the sound effects to the storm scene. Without the loyal and caring Norman to cajole and encourage him, Sir probably wouldn't even leave the dressing-room, never mind go on stage.
The result is a riotously funny parody of luvvies at their most ludicrous, shot through with enough truth to make an audience wince as it giggles.
The play was chosen by Mike Sermon for his debut as director for the South Brent ADS.
"I first saw this play in the early 1980s and have wanted to direct it ever since," says Mike.
"It holds a special place in my heart because it's about the very thing that I've been involved with for more than 50 years, both as a professional and amateur. It really does portray the two masks of comedy and tragedy."
Robin Willoughby plays Sir and Robin Lee is Norman. Also among a highly experienced cast are Margaret Grimoldby, Di Goodey, Jess Plummer, Paul Wonnacott, Tim McGill, Tony Simister and Anthony Hope-Johnson.
The Dresser is the society's entry in the South Devon Drama Federation annual festival.
Performances are nightly in the village hall.
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