Back to Plays

The Dresser Tickets

In wartorn Britain, most actors find themselves in uniforms -- but the show must go on... with the help of The Dresser

Performance dates

5 October 2016 to 14 January 2017

Run time 2 hours 45 min with one interval

Includes interval

Top Rated Show

Reviewers highly rate this show

  • Show info
  • Gallery
  • Accessibility
  • Reviews
  • News

Ken Stott and Reece Shearsmith come together as lead actor “Sir” and Norman “The Dresser” in this eagerly awaited revival of “a wonderfully affectionate and intelligent play about the theatre” The Guardian.

Both hilarious and poignant, The Dresser explores the relationship between two men who are reluctantly and inevitably co-dependent. As World War II rages, backstage in a provincial English theatre, an ageing, once-famous classical actor is troubled. Sir, the last in a dying breed of great English Shakespearean actors, is unwilling to take to the stage to deliver his renowned portrayal of King Lear. It falls to his faithful dresser Norman to rouse another great performance from him, to keep both the show and its star from falling apart.

Renowned as Ronald Harwood’s greatest play, The Dresser has been nominated for Olivier and Tony Awards as well as an Academy Award for the screenplay of the film. With a multi-award winning creative team of Ken Stott (Rebus, God of Carnage), Reece Shearsmith (The League of Gentlemen, Inside Number 9) and Sean Foley (The Ladykillers, Jeeves and Wooster) this promises to be an unmissable production of a theatrical classic.

Group Pricing

Special pricing for groups of 8 or moreCheck our group prices and save!

Recent Reviews

4.6
134 reviews
Sandra Scott

Great acting and set design -estupendo

Mike Gardner

What a wonderful evening's entertainment! This was the third time my wife and I had seen The Dresser over the years, but this was outstandingly the best. Ken Stott and Reece Shearsmith were just excellent and splendidly supported by the rest of the cast.

Susan Varnals

Brilliant show. Great performances by all the class.

Elizabeth King

Absolutely brilliant! Funny and poignant. Exceptional cast! ??

Peter Austin

Our enjoyment of this good play was vastly diminished by the theatre it was staged in. We were in seats 4&5 in row L and immediately before the start (no curtain up these days) a large man sat directly in front of me obscuring 20-25% of our view of the stage. This is unacceptable anywhere but especially at West End prices. A major part of the issue was the lack of fall between the rows and secondly the fact that seat rows were not offset e.g seat 5 should be behind the "space" behind seats 5 & 6 in front for example. The theatre would seem to have been refurbished recently but this is an elementary design error (perhaps to accommodate a few more seats) and should not have been tolerated. Further more the mens toilet facilities seemed grossly inadequate for the number of men trying to use them I the about 5 urinals and 1 cubicle in small space with poor access come on do you not have building regulations in London. The bar also was very cramped lacked space and access to the bar so I would think you lost a lot of customers as people were standing crowding in the auditorium aisles. I think the designers of the theatre refurbishment should be held to account. Who were they? Another matter was the signage regarding photography and mobile phone use. This was done by people carrying placards at the front of the Theatre which were far too small to read from our seats and ridiculous. The management of this theatre should get out more and see how other theatres manage! Cloakroom facilities we never found any? All this for a night out at £130! Plus taxi drinks programme etc. We will endeavour to avoid the Duke of Yorks theatre in future.

Mark Galvayne

Pitch perfect performances which, at turns, make you laugh and make you cry. Amazing show. Loved it.

michaela colwell

A great script and fantastic performances.

John Collingwood

First class story and performances all round.

Deborah Riordan

Fab play, wonderful atmosphere, all the actors were amazing, a little bubble of sanity and rest in a dark Wednesday in January . Loved the theatre , beautiful surroundings , comfy seats and cold beer & wine . Thankyou a lovely afternoon .

Gavin

An excellent production and great performance by the cast

Roger Jones

WONDERFUL - AMAZING! Powerful proformances - totally engrossing. So pleased I was able to have seen this play.

Patricia Suffling

Fantastic play, All the cast were brilliant but ken abd Recce were exceptional Really enjoyed it thank you

Latest The Dresser News

A Brief History Of Theatre

Features

A Brief History Of Theatre

Theatre has been around for what seems like forever (The Mousetrap has been in the West End for over 70 years!) The word theatre itself means a place for seeing, usually a building where a dramatic performance is given but theatre is so much more than that. Theatre is more than just a building, it is the telling of stories and putting on a show. It is turning a group of people into an audience and bringing them together through performing arts

22 Sep, 2016 | By Jade Ali

Keep me updated

We'll tell you as soon as tickets go on sale: