Review - The Dresser, New Theatre, Cardiff

For Only Fools & Horses star Nicholas Lyndhurst, playing a plonker for over twenty years could quite easily become an albatross around the neck. Fortunately, there was no such weight on his shoulders in this enjoyable production of Ronald Harwood’s The Dresser.

Set during WWII, a local theatre plays host to an acting company. Among the backstage staff is Norman, the loyal dresser to Sir (Julian Glover), a veteran actor-manager playing the lead in his 227th performance of King Lear and struggling to keep a grip on reality. Aided by personal assistant Madge (Liza Sadovy) and Her Ladyship (Annabel Leventon), Norman strives to ensure that the show must go on.

Lyndhurst gives a restrained performance as the camp Norman, feeding on some acerbic comic lines without ever falling into cliché. Glover, himself no stranger to King Lear, strikes a perfect balance of authority and fragility. The chemistry between him and Lyndhurst is impressive, showing a neat parallel with Shakespeare’s king and his fool.

A convincing mood of 1940s Britain was achieved throughout by war-torn sound affects and drab décor. An inventive bogie set allowed the action to flow on scene changes, and the use of direct address to the audience was inspired, giving Peter Hall’s play an extra dimension.

With a seamless blend of drama and comedy, The Dresser was a delight to watch. On this evidence, Lyndhurst proves he doesn’t have to play second fiddle to anyone.