Event Time(s):

• Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 7:30pm
• Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 7:30pm
• Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 7:30pm
• Friday, October 30, 2026 at 7:30pm
• Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 7:30pm

Event Details:

“The Dresser” by Ronald Harwood, adapted by Bruce Hall, will be presented for two weeks at the Crawford Stage at the Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture.Four Friends in cooperation with MSIP are hosting this riveting backstage drama. In 1942, as the threat of the German Blitz hangs over Great Britain, an ill-fated production of "King Lear" takes place in a provincial British theatre.

DATES: Oct 23-24 & 28-31
TIMES: Performances start at 7:30PM each evening + a matinee on Saturday, Oct 24 at 3:00PM

Tickets are $25 in advance: Buy Tickets Now

Tickets will be $30 at the door (via cash, check, or Venmo).

Cast:

Norman – Bruce Hall
Her Ladyship – Cara Wilder
Sir – John Hosking
Madge – Heather Michelle Sackett
Geoffrey Thornton – Gabe Trauman
Mr. Oxenby – Sean Hecock

Director – M Douglas MacIntyre
Adaptation by Bruce Hall

Synopsis:

In the winter of 1942, the almost daily bombing raids by the German Luftwaffe on the cities and ports of Great Britain have made life difficult and dangerous for its citizens. Yet, a small band of Shakesperean actors continues to carry on with their tour of hard-hit cities and provinces.

That is, until the lead actor and manager of the company, who must be addressed as “Sir”, suffers an emotional breakdown. Raving madly in a public market, he is discovered by Norman, his dresser of many years, who leads him to a hospital. After informing the rest of the company what has happened, all are shocked by the sudden arrival at the theatre of Sir, who has managed to escape the hospital and is insisting that that night’s performance of King Lear must proceed. Between the threat of being bombed and having a mentally unstable King Lear taking to the stage, it is going to be a bumpy ride, and an interesting night to be backstage.

This abridged version of the play will be performed without intermission. Seating for the production will be on the stage of the Crawford Theatre at the Emerson Arts Center and is therefore limited.

The Ghost Light – A theatre’s ghost light provides two important functions. It provides just enough light for anyone needing to cross an otherwise pitch-black stage from stumbling into or over objects on the stage. Its second service, and the one for which it is named, is to appease the ghosts who are known to haunt theatres. The older the theatre, the more ghosts it is likely to have accumulated. Mostly they are the ghosts of performers and others who have worked there. The ghost light gives them just enough light to be able to reenact their triumphs, their tragedies and contemplate their regrets.