David Newhouse (left) as Norman/The Dresser and Clark Nicholson as Sir in Gamut Theatre’s production of “The Dresser.” Photo by Brianna Dow.
Behind Shakespeare’s scenes stand a dwindling crew of actors, a stage director and an under-appreciated dresser.
Set in England in 1942, Ronald Hardwood’s “The Dresser” incorporates fast-paced comedy with an unsettling look at Sir, a mentally deteriorating actor. Gamut Theatre Group’s founder and Artistic Director J. Clark Nicholson stars as the sophisticated, yet senile Sir, and David Newhouse animatedly performs as his faithful dresser, Norman.
The pair’s banter, coupled with gripping delusional moments from both characters, leaves the audience torn between love and hate for Sir as his character continually grapples with line recollection before his 227th performance of Shakespeare’s “King Lear.”
“The Dresser” recounts World War II and the air raids over England with plane and bomb sound effects that intensify scenes. Each cast member speaks in a clean Received Pronunciation English accent that authenticates the play’s feel. The cast takes advantage of the dynamic set, a dressing room behind and below the stage on which “King Lear” is performed, offering the audience a detailed, behind-the-scenes look at this Shakespeare troop’s volatile relations. Amanda Owens, mainstage costume designer at Messiah College in the 2013-14 season, flawlessly fits each of Gamut’s characters down to the smallest details, like back-seamed hosiery and sleeve and sock garters.
Newhouse’s spastic gestures exude his frustration and dedication to Sir; Norman’s impassioned, sycophantic relationship to the actor coincides with hilarious line delivery. Each of Newhouse’s vivid facial expressions, erratic movements and gusty vocal animations encourage laughter, yet are believable enough to be taken seriously.
Similarly vying for Sir’s attention is Irene (Amber Mann), the young stagehand who longs to act with the troupe. Despite Mann’s considerable theatrical acting experience, she renders natural as the timid and inexperienced assistant.
An uncomfortable scene turns comical as Sir gropes Irene while he lusts after her youth, but, more importantly, her weight. Tired of holding his wife, Her Ladyship (Cynthia Charles), on stage as Cordelia in the second act of “King Lear,” Sir carries Irene in his arms wistfully yet triumphantly, then weakly falls to the ground, dropping the tension with Irene. Upon her quick exit from the dressing room, she encounters Norman.
Here, we see the height of Newhouse’s engrossing rage and hasty discourse with the weak Irene; Norman responds jealously and fires Irene in an attempt to keep peace within the troupe, each member in his or her place, and Sir’s world not upset so that the show may “go on.”
Nicholson, gray-haired but bright-eyed, is confusion embodied as Sir, though, in “The Dresser,” that is a good thing. Absent stares and blubbering hysteria make way for the focused repertoire that Nicholson’s husky voice commands. His laughable application of King Lear’s make-up in the first act helps develop Sir’s character and gains audience respect for caking on the paint each night. Lear may have posed a challenge for Sir, but Sir certainly poses no challenge for Nicholson.
Ronald Hardwood’s “The Dresser” runs through March 9, on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in Strawberry Square, Harrisburg. For more information, visit https://www.gamutplays.org or call 717-238-4111.
Gamut Theatre Group includes the company of Popcorn Hat Players Children’s Theater and of the Harrisburg Shakespeare Festival. Its move to former The First Church of God, located “across the street” at 15 N. 4th St., hopefully for the 2014-15 season, will well suit Gamut, a talented range of actors showcased in “The Dresser.”
