Review: THE DRESSER, Theatre Royal Brighton (UK tour)

The Dresser transports audiences to war-torn England in 1942 where we find ourselves invited as flies on the wall into the often neglected set of the theatre; the dressing room. Between the imminent air raids threatening to interrupt the company’s two hundred and twenty-seventh performance of King Lear and the increasingly unstable actions of their lead actor and company manager, affectionately known as ‘Sir’, it is up to Norman, Sir’s dresser and confidante of sixteen years, to make sure the show goes on… 

Julian Clary takes on the role of the titular character, Norman, and does so with such poignant ease. Best known for his camp and elaborate work in countless pantomimes, we were curious as to how that background would fare in a more serious character and yet Clary stole the show with a heart-rendering, warm and humorous take on the role. Acting alongside such theatrical royalty such as Matthew Kelly, it could be easy for Clary (or anyone) to be overshadowed but he holds his own to depict the fiercely loyal, if not overworked and underappreciated, right-hand man. Matthew Kelly does not disappoint in the role of ‘Sir’, attentively portraying the aging and increasingly troubled actor with heartbreaking ease. 

Tim Shortall’s set and costume design are critical and wonderfully curated to not only help frame the era of the story, but Sir’s King Lear outfit effortlessly takes a shriveled old man to a mighty king with just a simple costume. The Dresser’s supporting cast and creatives elevate the story that much further than the two leads, allowing audiences a deeper look into the crumbling relationships of the company, with Emma Amos taking on the character of ‘Her Ladyship’, Sir’s leading lady both on stage and off with a delicate grace portraying the frustrations of life at the side of a self-involved thespian. While Rebecca Charles’ Madge brings the company stage manager of twenty years to the front line, furthering the play’s beautiful spotlighting of the often forgotten heroes of theatre, the creative team, the dressers, the stage managers, the supporting actors all coming together as family to bring theatre to the masses even in the darkest times. A message very poignant at a time when theatre is struggling to get back onto its feet. 

So Besties, we wholeheartedly recommend you get yourself down to Brighton’s Theatre Royal before the 2 October or to Richmond Theatre from 26-30 October to catch this wonderful play. If not for the content, then simply to feel the contagious delight felt by all theatre lovers as we are welcomed back to live theatre. 

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Natalie Pedro 

Tickets are available to buy via our website here.