The Dresser

The Dresser first hit the theatre scene in 1980. Kicking off in Manchester, it soon transferred to the West End, then Broadway. The playwright, Sir Ronald Harwood, remains amazed that the play does so well every time it's staged, his first major success and a story whose powerful appeal transcends time. This is a play about emotion, straight from the heart, and perhaps that's what audiences love so much. Whatever the draw, it's completely brilliant.

Over the years the play has been transformed into an award-winning movie, has been produced all over the world on a more or less constant basis and, most recently, has won critical acclaim as a BBC TV production. The playwright was nominated for an Oscar for the 1983 film screenplay and home-grown actor Tom Courtenay was nominated for best actor for his portrayal of the title character 'Sir'. It's an affectionate and perceptive exploration of the actors and theatres of the old days, looking at the quirky relationship between the ageing ‘Sir’ and his personal assistant Norman, and it's a genuine classic of our time that you won't want to miss.