The Dresser is a 1980 West End and Broadway play by Ronald Harwood, which tells the story of an aging actor’s personal assistant, who struggles to keep his charge’s life together. Directed by Jacob Turner.

An actor’s life and backstage strife during WWII  

Inspired by memories of his years working as a dresser for actor-manager Sir Donald Wolfit, Ronald Harwood’s evocative, perceptive and hilarious portrait of backstage life comes to Melville Theatre this July.  

Directed by Jacob Turner, The Dresser is set in England against the backdrop of World War II as a group of Shakespearean actors tour a seaside town and perform in a shabby provincial theatre.  

The actor-manager, known as “Sir”, struggles to cast his popular Shakespearean productions while the able-bodied men are away fighting.  

With his troupe beset with problems, he has become exhausted – and it’s up to his devoted dresser Norman, struggling with his own mortality, and stage manager Madge to hold things together.  

The Dresser scored playwright Ronald Harwood, also responsible for the screenplays Australia, Being Julia and Quartet, best play nominations at the 1982 Tony and Laurence Olivier Awards.  

He adapted it into a 1983 film, featuring Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay, and received five Academy Award nominations.  

Another adaptation, featuring Ian McKellen and Anthony Hopkins, made its debut in 2015.

> Media Release – click here

Featuring: James Hagan, Peter Neaves, Kate Elder, Vee McGuire, Greg Ross, Esté Breytenbach, Andrew Brown

A message from Melville Theatre: Re Covid Requirements –  Melville Theatre is following the current guidelines set out by the WA State Government and WA Health Department. During Covid restriction times Melville Theatre reserves the right to either limit seating or adjust patrons seating to allow best practice and requirements.
Patrons will be required to scan the WASafe QR code from their smart phones on arrival or fill out the attendance sheet on check in. All of these requirements will be reviewed again as per government recommendations.  

Wheelchair & Companion Card holders please phone to make your booking.

Venue:  Melville Theatre
Corner Stock Rd & Canning Hwy, Palmyra
GPS:  393A Canning Hwy, Palmyra (entry off Stock Rd)

Performance Dates: July 8, 9, 10, 11*, 15, 16, 17

Times:  All evening shows at 8.00pm, *except Sunday 11th at 2pm
(Doors open 45 minutes prior to curtain)

Please arrive at the box office to check in
Cash/Card bar

Tickets: 
$23 Full, $18 Concession
Groups 10+ @ $18 each
Transaction fees apply