The Dresser (1983)
Directed by Brenda Meldrum
Performances: Sun 4th 7 Tues 6th – Sat 10th December 1983, Bell Theatre
Contents
Introduction
Programme Notes.
The play is set a provincial theatre in 1941. A touring company, led by and actor manager knight of the Donald Wolfit school, is playing "King Lear" in the middle of the blitz. The action takes place before, during and after the performance.
The playwrigh, Ronald Harwood, was, for five years, Donald Wolfit's dresser. Although he states categorically the "Sir is not Donald Wolfit", he admits that his "memory of what took place night after night in Woolfit's dressing room" inspired the play. However, anyone who has read Harwood's Biography of Wolfit, cannot help but see striking resemblances between Wolfit and Sir and his company. As Kenneth Tynan said, Wooflit was vilified as a "ham" actor by some, because "he is a middle aged actor manager who goes on provincial tours with an unimpressive supporting cast". Harwood tells us of Woolfit's tyranny over his company, insisting on the brightest light, the most commanding positions and the dominace of the emotional scenes for himself. Yet Tynan, one of his sternest criticts, admits that woolfit's Lear was "Majestic"
Cast
- Norman - Alan Buckman1
- Sir - Colm O'Neill
- Her Ladyship - Janis Allan
- Madge - Anna Greenburgh
- Irene - Marilyn Firth
- Mr Thornton - Michael Meldrum
- Mr Oxenby - John Brierley
- Knight - Bernard Witt
Crew
- Stage Manager - Sonia Burke
- Lighting Design - Stephen Holroyd
- Lighting Operator - Brian Fretwell
- Sound Recording - Brian Fretwell
- Sound Operator - John Hartnett
- Production Assistant - Rosie North
- Designer - Alan Buckman
- Set Construction - Don North
- Assisted by - Canice McAuliffe, Bob Marshall, Dick Lilly, Bill Proctor
- Scenic Painter - Sharon Haywood
- Props - June McAuliffe
- Assisted by - Christine Hemmise
- Prompt - Frances Walker
Reviews
Some review quotes go here
Gallery
Reminiscences and Anecdotes
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See Also
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References
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