The Dresser

The playwright, Ronald Harwood, was Sir Donald Wolfit's dresser for almost five years and his play is based on the great tradition of the great British Actor-Manager.  The events that took place nightly in Wolfit's dressing room are definite inspiration for the play.  The play is set during the last war, it is 1941 and Sir, a typical actor-manager, is touring the provinces with his company and playing Shakespeare to appreciative houses.  It is set back-stage in a provincial theatre and while the performance is in progress, the sound of German bombs falling is heard - but Sir is determined to get through Lear and his faithful and loving dresser sees that he does.