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Dresser (The)
- Director: Richard Eyre
- Writer: Ronald Harwood
- Producer: Colin Callender; Anders Erden
CGiii Comment
The Dresser is a stalwart of repertory theatre...
In 1983, it became a film with Albert Finney and a younger Tom Courtenay...the dynamic between these two actors worked...simply because of their age difference and professional experience. Courtney bowed to Finney...
Here, in this 2015 production, the dynamic is completely different. Two astounding actors of similiar years...both fast-approaching their respective winters...volley their lines with undercuts of disdain and envy...missing from the original film.
For those of you who don't know...a dresser's position is usually filled by a 'resting' actor who faces day-in, day-out a denied success...a younger dresser has those times to look forward to...an older dresser...those dreams have gone.
McKellen...imbued with alcohol and regret, sneers and smiles his way to reliability and dependence...but, those eyes...they say it all. Defeated.
A mature and masterful adaptation - the old stalwart has been given a fresh breath of life.
Oooh the irony.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
In the closing months of World War Two, aging actor 'Sir' and his wife Her Ladyship bring Shakespeare to the provinces with a company depleted by conscription. 'Sir' is plainly unwell, discharging himself from hospital and Her Ladyship believes he should cancel his upcoming performance of 'King Lear'. However Norman, his outspoken, gay dresser disagrees and is determined that the show will go on, cajoling the confused 'Sir' into giving a performance - one which will be his swansong, at the same time drawing a parallel between King Lear and his fool as Norman, despite ultimate disappointment, serves his master.
Cast & Characters
Ian McKellen as Norman;
Anthony Hopkins as Sir;
Emily Watson as Her Ladyship;
Vanessa Kirby as Irene;
Sarah Lancashire as Madge;
Edward Fox as Thornton;
Tom Brooke as Oxenby / Edmond;
Matthew Cottle as Albany;
Ian Conningham as Kent;
Helen Bradbury as Regan;
Isabelle Estelle Corbusier;
Annalisa Rossi as Goneril;
John Ashton as Gloucester;
Carl Sanderson as Cornwall;
Amanda Smith as Audience Member