THE pairing of the considerable talents of Ken Stott and Reece Shearsmith in the revival of Ronald Harwood’s play The Dresser made for two hours of mesmerizing theatre at the Everyman in Cheltenham last night.

The Dresser explores the relationship between an ageing self-absorbed star of the theatre, ‘Sir’, played by Ken Stott and his long-suffering but devoted dresser, Norman (Reece Shearsmith).

Under Sean Foley’s direction, most of the action takes place in the dressing room of a provincial theatre, played out against a backdrop of occasional Nazi bombing raids.

Harwood’s play tells the story of the struggle to keep a theatre open during such testing times, when most quality actors are on the front line and ‘Sir’ is left with the ‘cripples, old men and Nancy boys’.

But this is also the heart-breaking story of an exhausted once famous Shakespearean actor, who is riddled with anxiety about his impending performance of King Lear, and requires constant cajoling from his dresser Norman.

This is an intimate performance, with ‘Sir’ and Norman rarely apart. Reece Shearsmith and Ken Stott both deliver outstanding performances and rise to the challenge of inviting the audience into this back stage world.

It is poignant and emotional stuff, but I hadn’t expected it to be quite so funny, with many laugh out loud moments, breaking up the tension.

The supporting cast also do an excellent job. Harriet Thorpe, as Her Ladyship, partner of ‘Sir’, portrays brilliantly a woman trying to hold onto her dignity whilst tired of a life of cold dressing rooms and trains.

The Dresser was a real treat and is one to catch – Cheltenham is its final stop before the show opens at the Duke of York Theatre in London’s West End.

  • The Dresser runs until Saturday, October 1 at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham. For tickets go to everymantheatre.corg.uk or call Box office 01242 572573