Ronald Harwood’s moving and richly comic play, The Dresser, presents a splendid portrait of what it was like to work with one of those actor-managers who, through the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century, were the lifeblood of British theater. Their tradition of touring the provinces and coming up to London when they were able finally faded away in the 1960s with the deaths of Anew McMaster—with whom the young Harold Pinter toured in Ireland—and Sir Donald Wolfit, the greatest Lear of the 20th century.

Wolfwit's dresser was, for a number of years, none other than Ronald Harwood, who drew on his experiences to write The Dresser. The 1983 film adaptation starred Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay as the grandiose "Sir" and his dresser, respectively, each earning Oscar nominations for their performances.

From September 22 to 25, 2016, Black Stripe Theater presents The Dresser at the cozy Trance Mission Theater in Sangubashi, Tokyo. The production stars Tokyo theater veterans Timothy Harris and Nicolas Gregoriades in the lead roles, and is directed by Keiko Tsuneda.

Active since the mid-2000s, Black Stripe Theater is a group of directors, actors, designers and theater artists producing and performing English language theater in Tokyo, typically focussing on challenging material by contemporary playwrights. Find out more and get tickets below!