Monday – Saturday 7.30pm
Matinees Thursday & Saturday 2.30pm
Press Night Wednesday 15 September 2021 7pm
Thu 9 — Sat 18 Sep
Monday – Saturday 7.30pm
Matinees Thursday & Saturday 2.30pm
Press Night Wednesday 15 September 2021 7pm
Thu 9 — Sat 18 Sep
This production has been rescheduled from 21 – 26 September 2020. Tickets remain valid for the equivalent performances. Please see Prices & Performance Times for the new schedule and corresponding performances. Ticket holders are being contacted.
Inspired by memories of working as Donald Wolfit’s dresser as a young man, Ronald Harwood’s evocative, affectionate and hilarious portrait of backstage life is one of the most acclaimed dramas of modern theatre.
It is 1942 and in a war-torn provincial theatre an ageing actor manager, known to his loyal acting company as ‘Sir’, is struggling to cling on to his sanity and complete his two hundred and twenty seventh performance of King Lear.
It is down to Norman, Sir’s devoted dresser, to ensure that in spite of everything, the show goes on. For sixteen years Norman has been there to fix Sir’s wig, massage his ego, remind him of his opening lines and provide the sound effects in the storm scene.
Norman will be played by one of the UK’s most unique and best loved entertainers. Julian Clary’s successes include television, radio, films, writing and stand up comedy, which he has performed all over the world. His West End starring roles range from London Palladium pantomimes to Taboo .
Playing ‘Sir’ will be Matthew Kelly,winner of an Olivier Award for Of Mice and Men. His other West End credits include Waiting For Godot with Ian McKellen, Comedians and Troilus and Cressida. His many television credits include the award-winning thriller Cold Blood, Benidorm, Bleak House and Moving On .
Ronald Harwood’s plays include Taking Sides, Equally Divided and Quartet. His screenplay for the film of The Dresser, received five Academy Award nominations, including Best Screenplay. He won an Academy Award for The Pianist .
Terry Johnson is the recipient of a dozen major theatre awards. His directing credits in Bath include Mrs. Henderson Presents, Hysteria and The Libertine .
“Riotously funny” Express
“A glorious play” Daily Telegraph
“Poignant, funny and utterly authentic” Mail on Sunday
“A hugely entertaining evening, rich in comic moments” Sunday Times
This production has been rescheduled from 21 – 26 September 2020. Tickets remain valid for the equivalent performances. Please see below for the new schedule and corresponding performances. Ticket holders are being contacted.
Monday – Saturday 7.30pm
Matinees Thursday & Saturday 2.30pm
Press Night Wednesday 15 September 2021 7pm
Tickets from £27
A booking fee of £1.75 per ticket applies
Full list of THE DRESSER performances, with corresponding rescheduled dates –
New performance – Thursday 9 September 2021, 7.30pm
New performance – Friday 10 September 2021, 7.30pm
New performance – Saturday 11 September 2021, 2.30pm
New performance – Saturday 11 September 2021, 7.30pm
Monday 21 September 2020, 7.30pm > Monday 13 September 2021, 7.30pm
Tuesday 22 September 2020, 7.30pm > Tuesday 14 September 2021, 7.30pm
Wednesday 23 September 2020, 7pm > Wednesday 15 September 2021, 7pm (press night)
Thursday 24 September 2020, 2.30pm > Thursday 16 September 2021, 2.30pm
Thursday 24 September 2020, 7.30pm > Thursday 16 September 2021, 7.30pm
Friday 25 September 2020, 7.30pm > Friday 17 September 2021, 7.30pm
Saturday 26 September 2020, 2.30pm > Saturday 18 September 2021, 2.30pm
Saturday 26 September 2020, 7.30pm > Saturday 18 September 2021, 7.30pm
Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Cheltenham Everyman Theatre
by Ronald Harwood, directed by Terry Johnson
with JULIAN CLARY and MATTHEW KELLY
Designer – Tim Shortall
Casting – Ginny Schiller CDG
Box Office phonelines are currently open from 10am – 4pm Monday – Saturday.
Doors open 30 minutes prior to the performance, unless otherwise stated.
Tickets for Main House productions may include a £2 building levy.
Please see the ACCESS page for details regarding our Access Register and associated discounts.
A booking fee of £1.75 per ticket applies to all bookings.
Standby tickets and standing spaces are currently unavailable
There is a lift for wheelchair users from the Theatre foyer to the Stalls and Royal Circle levels. The Dress Circle and Grand Circle are stair access only.
Full booking terms & conditions can be found here