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The Dresserby Ronald HarwoodJune 15, 16, 17, 2000 Directed by Ann Westcott Produced by Peter Unsworth. Stage Manager: Judith Watson The play takes place in a down-at-heel provincial theatre in 1941, where a travelling company, deprived of talent and resources by the demands of the war effort, is struggling to present the classics to a country starved of cultural entertainments. |
The Set The set represents the offstage area and dressing room of a seedy provincial theatre. |
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Set design by Alan Watson Scenery by Judith Watson and Sue McRoberts Properties by Karen Martin (seen in the photo, setting props) Lighting by Terry Bullworthy   |
The Ambience | ||
To recreate the atmosphere of the time, the hall was decorated with reproduction wartime posters and our Front of House and Catering dressed as ARP wardens and landgirls Left: Carrie Bedford, Margaret Hussey and Jill TcherniakRight: The safety announcements were made by ARP warden Rita Bullworthy, complete with tin hat and stirrup pump. As a final touch, the audience were invited to stand for the National Anthem, which in 1941, was always played before and after performances. |
The Cast of The Dresser From left to right Geoffrey Thornton (Peter Unsworth) |
It is opening night of "King Lear" and the protagonist "Sir" has collapsed in the street and is in hospital. Sir's dresser, Norman (Mike Jackson) discusses this disastrous situation with Sir's wife, Her Ladyship (Deborah Flanagan) and stage manager Madge (Jenny Hyatt) |
Sir (Tim Williams) arrives, having discharged himself from hospital, but he is far from well. | Norman's gargantuan task of coaxing Sir into costume and makeup is eased along by frequent visits to the hip flask. |
It is almost time. Her Ladyship, playing Cordelia, comes to check on her husband. In the corridor two of the company
wait for their final instructions from Sir. (Don Hussey and Peter Unsworth) |
To add to the troubled situation, a member of the cast has been arrested for unmentionable behaviour. At the end of Act one, an air raid siren sounds. The curtains close, but Norman is sent out to assure the audience that the play will go on |
Act two, finds the cast assembled in the wings for King Lear. Madge, Irene (Debbie Hockey), Her Ladyship, Norman, Geoffrey and Sir |
In between his appearances as King Lear, Sir rests in his dressing room. Against all odds, Sir and King Lear make it to the final curtain, mostly due to Norman's support, coaxing, bullying and cajoling. Norman is devastated |
Copyright © 2002. EydonPlayers
Revised -- October 2011 Version 10a
URL:
http://www.eydonplayers.co.uk/dresser/