A Metaplay: The Dresser

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by Rizelle Bernadette Dela Cruz
Have you ever wondered what it's like to see what happens behind the scenes during a play production? Well, wonder no more because The Dresser gives us a glimpse of what it is like to be at the background of a said production.

The Dresser is a play by Ronald Harwood. It is about an aging actor and his dresser who need to deal with the daily trials and tribulations of theater life during World War II. With a star-studded cast, one can't help but be drawn to the interaction of each character as they grapple with each of their desires. The actors superbly portrayed the different faces of devotion: one who has had a taste, one who has had a taste and wants more, one who wants to do it over and over but is hindered by external factors, one who is weary of everything but at the end of the day thinks it has been worth it, one who loves it but now abhors it, and one who always thinks that it is always worth it but is under appreciated.
Other than its theme of devoting one self to one's craft, there were a lot of juxtapositions exhibited in the play: such as the old age of Sir (Teroy Guzman) versus the youth of Irene (Justine Narciso), the optimism and hopefulness of Norman (Audie Gemora) as opposed to the resignation of Her Ladyship (Missy Maramara) and the weariness of Madge (Tami Monsod). In effect, it made the story richer and more endearing. You can't help but empathize with each one because all of them have made a valid point in their own right.

The stage design is very apt and the stage direction is seamless. It doesn't even seem like an hour has passed after the first act!

All in all, The Dresser is one production that theater actors, crew members, and goers shouldn't miss. It may be highly related to theater but, I'm entirely sure that anyone can relate with any of the characters because for once in our life, we were also them.
Catch The Dresser at OnStage Theater in Greenbelt 1 from May 3 to 26!

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