Bombs are blasting the English countryside and World War ll is
screaming into the hearts and minds of the population
– but the show must go on. A scraggly, limping company of
Shakespearian actors prepare to share
”
King Lear
”
with those who brave the elements and buy a ticket to the local
Provincial Theatre for a few hours of fantasy and tradition.
Bombs are blasting the English countryside and World War ll is screaming into the hearts and minds of the population – but the show must go on. A scraggly, limping company of Shakespearian actors prepare to share “King Lear” with those who brave the elements and buy a ticket to the local Provincial Theatre for a few hours of fantasy and tradition.
Here we find an aging, demented “Sir” (the magnificent Ken Ruta), actor, manager and leader of this second-rate group that will put on a show no matter the rage the heavens can muster. His dresser of 30 years, Norman (splendidly delivered by James Carpenter), is the glue that holds the cantankerous, delusional old man together and gets him into makeup and costume for his performance. The relationship between the two is a masterful fencing match of words and their superb acting is a gift to the audience.
Playwright Ronald Harwood takes his 10 years experience as the dresser for Shakespearian actor and manager Sir Donald Wolfit and shows a side of theatre most never imagine. In this case, the dresser and the lead depend on one another to a point that one cannot function without the other. The sensitivity and insensitivity flies around like an angry hoard of bees in a disturbed hive.
The sets by scenic designer Kent Dorsey are creative. Sir’s dressing room reeks of an ancient moldy existence that has seen more drama than the stage. The backstage scenes are a delight and grant a few moments of humor.
Director Rick Lombardo moves the marvelous cast at a fine pace – for the most part – although, as a whole, the production could have used a slight cut here and there to keep it from getting a little bogged down. At almost three hours, a little trimming could be in order.
“The Dresser” is an homage to the tradition of theatre and theatre lovers will appreciate this supreme cast’s effort.
***
‘The Dresser’
Where: San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose
Through: Feb. 20
Tickets: $35-$74
Details: (408) 367-7255 or www. sjrep.com
‘In The Mood’
“In The Mood”, the 1940s big band musical review, is a celebration of America’s greatest generation through the music of the Andrew Sisters, Glenn Miller, The Dorsey Brothers, Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and other big band greats with costumes, arrangements and swing dance routines from that era,
With a 13-piece big band orchestra, and singers and dancers, “In the Mood” revisits the music that moved the nation’s spirit and helped win a war.
This production moves fast and appears in one day stints.
***
‘In The Mood’
A special Valentine’s Day show at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco
Details: (415) 392-4400.
Feb.15, two shows
in Walnut Creek
Details: (925) 943-SHOW.
