Reviewed by Judy Richter
Directing "The Dresser," Ronald Harwood's homage
to the theater, San Jose Repertory Theatre artistic director Rick
Lombardo has the
luxury of having two of the Bay Area's finest actors in the lead roles. Ken
Ruta plays Sir,
the aging actor-manager of a ragtag British theatrical troupe in 1942, while James
Carpenter plays
Norman, Sir's longtime dresser. While Sir gets all the applause for playing all
of Shakespeare's tragic heroes, Norman is the one keeping him together
backstage.
Both
performances are magnificent. Ruta's Sir is deteriorating physically and
mentally, but thanks to Norman, he pulls himself together for one last
performance as Lear. In the meantime, fussy Norman, who's probably a closeted
homosexual, caters to Sir's every whim and keeps pushing him in the right
direction. Although Norman seems unflappable, Carpenter's subtle gestures and
facial expressions betray Norman's inner turmoil. Secret nips on a bottle of
brandy also are telltale signs.
The
supporting cast is solid with Rachel Harker as Her Ladyship, Sir's mate and
leading lady; Lynne Soffer as Madge, the spinster stage manager who has secretely
been in love with Sir; and Julian López-Morillas as Geoffrey Thornton, a
third-rate actor who plays Lear's Fool. Blythe Foster overplays the role of Irene, the
aspiring actress who hopes to advance her career by seducing Sir. Blake
Ellis plays
Oxenby, another third-rate actor in the troupe.
The
set is by Kent Dorsey, with lighting by David Lee Cuthbert and right-on period costumes by Cathleen
Edwards. Steve
Schoenbeck designed
the sound, which features some scary air raid sirens and bombs.
The
play runs nearly three hours, but seldom drags, thanks in large part to Ruta,
Carpenter and director Lombardo.
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