It’s been confirmed that Sean Foley, who most recently directed The Painkiller as part of the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company season at the Garrick, will direct two new productions in the West End.
The Dresser, Duke of York’s Theatre (5th October – 14th January 2017): the first production will be a revival of Ronald Harwood’s play, which was first performed in the West End in 1980 and turned into a film in 1983 starring Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay. This new production will star Ken Stott and Reece Shearsmith.
Both hilarious and poignant, The Dresser explores the relationship between two men who are reluctantly and inevitably co-dependent. As World War II rages, backstage in a provincial English theatre, an ageing, once-famous classical actor is troubled. Sir, the last in a dying breed of great English Shakespearean actors, is unwilling to take to the stage to deliver his renowned portrayal of King Lear. It falls to his faithful dresser Norman to rouse another great performance from him, to keep both the show and its star from falling apart.
To book tickets visit: ATG Tickets, Ticketmaster.co.uk, Discount Theatre.com, Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk, Love Theatre.com, Theatre People.com and UK Tickets.co.uk.
The Miser, Garrick Theatre (1st March 2017-3rd June): Sean Foley will direct Griff Rhys Jones in his return to West End stage for the first time in five years in this revival of Molière’s classic play.
Fanatical about protecting his wealth, the paranoid Harpagon (Griff Rhys Jones) suspects all of trying to filch his fortune, and will go to any length to protect it. A matchmaker motivated only by money, he sets his sights on wealthy spouses for his children, so his riches are safe from their grubby hands.
As true feelings and identities are revealed will Harpagon allow his children to follow their heart, or will his love of gold prove all-consuming? Passion and purse strings go head to head in this rip roaring comedy, by France’s greatest dramatist.
Sean Foley is an award-winning actor, writer and director. He co-founded The Right Size, creating over 10 original comedies for the theatre including the Olivier Award-winning and Tony-nominated production of The Play What I Wrote (Best Comedy 2002), Do You Come Here Often? (Best Entertainment 1999), and Ducktastic! (Albery Theatre – Best Entertainment nomination 2006). As director his work includes The Painkiller, Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense (Best New Comedy 2014), The Walworth Farce (The Olympia Theatre, Dublin) and the multi Olivier-nominated The Ladykillers (Liverpool Everyman, Gielgud Theatre, UK Tour).