Difference between revisions of "The Dresser (1983)"

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== Introduction ==
 
== Introduction ==
  
Text about the play
+
Programme Notes.
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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.
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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 ==
 
== Cast ==

Revision as of 17:17, 11 April 2008

Poster by Poster Designer

by Ronald Harwood

Directed by Brenda Meldrum

Performances: Sun 4th 7 Tues 6th – Sat 10th December 1983, Bell Theatre


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

Crew

Reviews

Some review quotes go here


Gallery

Reminiscences and Anecdotes

Members are encouraged to write about their experiences of working on or seeing this production. Please leave your name. Anonymous entries may be deleted.

See Also

Have there been other SLT productions of this play? Link to them here.

Or add anything that is related within this site. The author's page for instance or other plays with a similar theme.

References

<references/>

External Links