The Dresser - Duke of York's

Is it just me or McKellen is a bit old to play Norman? I recall at some point he says smth about being with Sir for the past 16 years and it sounds as if this job has been a major part of his life, like he's given his prime years to Sir. Sounds a bit weird when you are 75 and look it. Though McKellen naturally is a brilliant actor.

I'm inclined to agree.  It was good to see him work with Hopkins but they were both too old for this play. 

Bring back Paul Rogers and Freddie Jones - the original Sirs in New York (Rogers) and London (Jones) - neither has ever been surpassed, certainly not by Stott - a great actor in entirely the wrong part for him.

Got a really cheap (£10) ticket for the matinee today - really excellent! And a total bargain at £10

Saw this again today, I wanted to see it again before it closed, and it just re-iterated what a fine production this is - yes this is really Reece Shearsmith's show, but sitting in the second row this time, I was really impressed by Ken Stott's performance this time, I really thought he was superb, and hopefully it won't be too long before we see either of them on the West End stage again.

Do you happen to know if they still have offers for front stalls somewhere? I only see Row E-back at TodayTix.

I saw it yesterday too, really enjoyed it. Have managed never to see the play or either film version so was surprised to realise it wasn't a two hander with a single set!

Booked through todaytix - they had rear stalls for £18 including booking fee, so £8 with the £10 credit I used (feel free to use SEZCE, £10 credit fans! ). I was in row Q, view from there was great.

Amused by the mobile phone warning beforehand which involved one of the ushers wandering around waving a sign around with very small writing on it, at the far end of the auditorium from me. As someone near me said "I think it's an eye test".

Used your code, xanderl, thanks!

So happy I managed to catch one of the last performances!

If you ask me, it was the best show in town in quite a while and still as phenomenal as I remember it. Tiny changes made since I saw it in November - always fascinating to notice how the production grows. Giggly audience that night - the storm scene got its own applause and yet again much deserved standing ovation at the curtain call. The space looked much fuller and you can just feel how rewarding it is for actors especially in the play of that sort.
Ken Stott's fierce Sir and Reece Shearsmith's heartbreaking (and 'never despairing') Norman will stay with me for a long-long time to come (oliviers anyone?). Wish there were more theatre shows like this - powerful, riveting, genuinely funny and human to the bone.

Lucky Chichester peeps!
I think one of the reasons this production is so successful lies in the perfect balance between comedy and tragedy which I believe Sean Foley is responsible for. Brilliant director, I saw him do farces mostly but here he provides just enough first-rate entertainment combined with the incredible poignancy which pierces through your very heart. Rare thing, that is. Sometimes it's all about how the text is treated.. And actors being on the top of their game elevates it to the masterpiece level.

I'll say that again - Chichester is so bloody lucky to have it so sad to hear they are ignoring such theatre gem.