West End Productions presents ‘The Dresser’ to premier Jan. 13, 2023. Courtesy/West End Productions
West End Productions News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Keith Allen West will play Norman in West End Productions’ presentation of Ronald Harwood’s “The Dresser” being directed by Colleen Neary McClure when it premiers Jan. 13, 2023 at the North Fourth Art Center (4904 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107) with rehearsals starting in the fall.
“This is a wonderful story of love, admiration and devotion to the arts in a complex time for LGBTQ+ people in England,” West said, “As an LGTBQ+ actor that faced death threats and discrimination as an out college student, it was a brilliant process to build the layers of love and fear of Norman for the audition. I’ve always denied my desire to perform on stage, but this opportunity broke down the walls keeping me from committing to theater.”
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 regarded as one of the most acclaimed dramas of modern theatre. The cast includes Peter Kierst, Fawn Hanson, Jessica Osbourne and Versai Knight.
“I love plays and movies about show biz, whether it’s theatre or film. The entertainment world is hard, and artists will make many sacrifices for their art,” McClure said, “‘The Dresser’ is a compassionate and often humorous look at a hardscrabble theatrical touring company. Set during World War II, we see an aging actor, Sir, past his prime and struggling to keep it together.”
The play takes place over a single evening in 1942 in England in a war-torn provincial theatre. An aging actor manager, known to his loyal acting company as ‘Sir’, is struggling to cling on to his sanity and complete his 227th performance of King Lear. For 16 years Norman, Sir’s devoted dresser, 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. It is down to Norman to ensure that in spite of everything, the show goes on.
“While my mentor and great friend Basil Hoffman never dealt with dementia, my relationship with him was so similar to the love Norman has for Sir,” West said, “This opportunity reinforces my belief that story telling is an important part of who we are. I am excited to learn the northern English dialect for this.”
“The Dresser” gained notoriety through the movies from 1983 starring Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay, and the 2015 STARZ! Original starring Anthony Hopkins and Ian McKellen.
“Keith ticked so many boxes for the role of Norman. His nurturing personality, his positivity and humor all in my opinion are traits that the character Norman in ‘The Dresser’ shares. If anyone can encourage you to pull up your big girl/boy pants, it’s Keith, something Norman has to do to get Sir on the stage. I am so excited to see him shine onstage!”
“The Dresser” performances are Jan. 13-29 with shows at 7:30 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays.
West End Productions performs at the North Fourth Art Center at 4904 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107.
Tickets are available here or by calling 505.410.8524 or 855.937.8505 (855-WEST505).
Online ticket pricing: General admission $23, Student/Senior 65+ $22, Military/TALC/SAG-AFTRA $22.
Pricing at the door: General admission $25.00, Student/Senior 65+ $24.00, Military/TALC/SAG-AFTRA $24.
Harwood is an Academy Award, Palme d’Or and BAFTA-winning screenwriter and playwright. His plays include Taking Sides, Equally Divided and Quartet. His screenplay for the film of The Dresser received five Academy Award nominations, including Best Screenplay. His films include the Academy Award winning “The Pianist”, “The Diving Bell” and the Butterfly” and “Love in the Time of Cholera.”
