'the Dresser'

[Khandro]

I've just watched the best thing I have seen on TV for many years (BBC2 9:00pm UK time), It made me cry, laugh and think throughout. acting, directing and photography - brilliant! If you have the means to watch it I recommend it without reservation.

[mikey4444]

For me, the star last night was Ian McKellen.I agree about the film made with Courtenay and Finney...ruddy marvelous as well !

[inglepingle]

Hopkins was brilliant.Interesting to see Edward Fox was also in the 1983 film version !

[retrocop]

Edward Fox would have no difficulty remembering his lines then. He didn't say much in the play but his farewell speech of gratitude was fantastic.

[retrocop]

I actually came out in a cold sweat when "Sir" kept asking for the opening lines and then having to be reminded which play he was performing.
I just sat there thinking,"Oh no. This show can't possibly go on". I was cringeing with embarrassment.

[Khandro]

I nearly fell off my chair when Hopkins/Lear kept collapsing in the wings before his entrance and the members of the court on stage had to keep extemporising with one saying " I think I see him coming now" but Lear collapses again, and the courtier has to say "No, I think I was mistaken!".

[whirlyhurly]

British drama at it's best, just riveting viewing.

[whirlyhurly]

.... and I never knew that Colwyn Bay could be so depressing.

[bibblebub]

The announcer did say that it was the first in a drama season so there should be others to come (but not next Saturday)

[jomifl]

For those of you that missed it as did I it is available on video for a patry £7 delivered..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291442892724?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Khandro]

jomifl; That is the old Albert Finney, Tom Courtney one.

[jomifl]

Wasn't the first one good enough?

[Mrsspagnoli57]

I enjoyed it very much and thought Anthony Hopkins captured the real essence of 'Sir' his performance is very much on a par with Albert Finney in the film version which is absolutely brilliant. For me Ian McKellan, while good lacked the pathos that Tom Courtney in the film brought to the role. In the film, Edward Fox played Mr Oxenby, his role here as 'Geoffrey' the Fool was the best thing about the whole drama. For once Edward Fox WAS acting-not playing his Edward VIII character.
This type of programming is an oasis in the desert that tv has become in the days of reality one hit wonder shows and performers.

[Barsel]

///bibblebub
the BBC website for it http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06nsxn0 doesn't mention any repeats and searching elsewhere indicates that it's not repeated during the next couple of weeks///
Thanks for checking this out, If I don't get any unexpected company this afternoon, will watch on i player. x

[tonyav]

Apparently Sir Ian McKellen only signed on ( The Dresser ) to work with Anthony Hopkins.
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/story/sir-ian-mckellen-i-signed-on-for-the-dresser-to-work-with-hopkins/ar-BBmDyEx?li=AA5a2k

[sp1814]

Taped and ready to be watched tomorrow night.

Pretty good weekend for the Beeb ('The Hunt' tonight was astonishingly good).

[Maydup]

I've seen the film and I've seen the play on stage directed by Peter Hall, but this version was by far the best in my opinion. I also enjoyed a subsequence programme on Sunday on BBC4 - In Conversation with Ronald Harwood. Fantastic.

Lets hope for more from where this came from. Is the BBC picking up?