![\"Growing](\"https:\/\/lamesacourier.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Dresser1.jpg\")
<\/a>Since the original premiere in 1980, Ronald Harwood has adapted his script for both the big and small screen. Harwood based the story loosely on his own history with the actor-manager, Donald Wolfit.<\/p>\n
Director Steve Murdock loved the 1983 movie version starring Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay. While preparing for rehearsals, Murdock intentionally didn\u2019t read about Wolfit, as Harwood\u2019s writing is mostly meant to be fiction.<\/p>\n
Something that attracted Murdock to the material is the unusual alliance between Sir and Norman.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are some parallels between this show and \u2018The Odd Couple,\u2019\u201d he said. \u201cNorman is the fussy one and Sir is the bombastic, sloppy one. Their friendship really feels symbiotic.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Murdock, the two of them share a codependent bond. This isn\u2019t particularly healthy for either of them, but Murdock still believes that their relationship features positive aspects. Several speeches in the play go into detail as to why Sir and Norman are so close.<\/p>\n
Both over-the-top and nuanced acting are on display on the La Mesa stage, including intentionally cheesy acting when Sir recites prose by The Bard.<\/p>\n
Hadlock appreciates how the plot lets audience watch both current and dated forms of storytelling.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen people were performing in the 1940s, it was a much more exaggerated, outward and verbally intrusive form of acting,\u201d he said. \u201cModern acting tends to be more subtle and internal.\u201d As evidenced by the recent television version and a 2016 revival in London, the narrative will always be relevant, particularly for people who enjoy fascinating backstage drama. Among the many reasons that \u201cThe Dresser\u201d continues to age well for Hadlock is its depiction of stage actors, and Harwood\u2019s witty dialogue.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a narrative that displays humans striving beyond their capabilities,\u201d Hadlock said. \u201cThe vast majority of the troupers in this piece should have retired. Yet, their art is tantamount and defines their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n Many will appreciate humorous sequences, but Hadlock\u2019s favorite Harwood jokes are geared towards theater lovers. Clever lines about Shakespeare and \u201cThe Scottish Play\u201d (\u201cMacbeth\u201d) are sprinkled throughout the evening.<\/p>\n Murdock never feels that the prose becomes pretentious or self-indulgent, despite references to other famous epics.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like when Shakespeare in performed well,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you don\u2019t always understand the language, that doesn\u2019t always matter if the acting is strong.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n