The Dresser

In a little over 35 years Ronald Harwood’s play has achieved the status of a classic and this beautifully honed new production secures that status. I saw it then, Freddy Jones and Tom Courtenay, and the memory has been with me since, but last night Ken Stott and Reece Shearsmith knocked that memory into touch with a pair of very fine performances indeed. Stott manages to balance the pomposity of the actor manager with a frailty and vulnerability that is deeply moving. His “Sir” breathes a tough reality into the role rather than a simplistic arrogance.
Reece Shearsmith as Norman is quite brilliant. Camp of course but brittle and razor sharp – and of course driven, driven by that love which dare not… well you know the rest. His delivery of the complex structure of each line, every anecdote and barbed aside is fast paced but never short of perfect.
Harriet Thorpe as Her Ladyship is perfect, stately, dry and long suffering, and Selina Caddel is wonderfully believable as Madge, dedicated, loyal and in the end, like Norman, overlooked.
Harwood created a wonderfully rich vehicle for these actors but full credit must also be given to Sean Foley who directs with real insight and skill, bringing the story’s wit and tragedy to life in equal part. Michael Taylor’s set is stunning too, realism delivered in a classic way on a versatile rotating staging that moves seamlessly from scene to scene. The audience were captivated from the very first moments to a final standing ovation. Sometimes five stars are simply not enough of an accolade.
20 September
Theatre Royal Brighton
Andrew Kay
5 stars