Stratton Players' 'The Dresser' premieres next week

Pictured are (left to right) John McAuliffe (Sir) and Victor Dupuis (Norman), in a rehearsal scene from "The Dresser," which will be presented at the Stratton Playhouse starting May 30. SUBMITTED PHOTO

FITCHBURG - The Stratton Players present "The Dresser," a heartfelt, poignant, and darkly comic drama, for a two-week run starting Friday, May 30 and ending Sunday, June 15.

"The Dresser," directed by Amy Newberg, is set in an English theatre some months after the Battle of Dunkirk in World War II. A troupe of thespians are presenting King Lear, but the leader, and aging actor named Sir, (played by John McAuliffe) is finding his world vanishing as young actors are in the war and many theatres have been bombed out.

Sir's long-time companion, Her Ladyship, and the dresser (played by Victor Dupuis of Fitchburg) partially buoy Sir, but they are award of the disintegration of their own lives and have their own struggles to contend with.

Norman, the dresser, is the man-behindthe man, and maintains a desperate hold on his own humor and increasingly fragile existence as his and Sir's worlds disintegrate in this engrossing and transporting glimpse backstage set against a backdrop of war and social and personal upheaval.

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays, May 30, 31, June 6, 7, 13, 14 at 8 p.m. and Sundays, June 8 and 15, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15, payable at the door. Reservations are strongly suggested, and can be made by calling (978) 345-6066.

Also, the Stratton Players continues its' tradition of Dinner and a Show with the Fay Club with an expanded schedule - Saturday, May 31, Friday, June 6, and Friday, June 13. Dine at the Fay Club, 658 Main St., Fitchburg and stroll to the theater afterwards for the performance.

Chef Bill Bergeron has created a special World War II-era buffet which includes some classic English offerings: tuna casserole, creamed chipped beef, mixed beans, and bread pudding. There will also be an offering of (unrationed) prime rib with the meal and a tossed salad.

Price for both dinner and a show is $39, tax and gratuity included. Dinner only is $24. Seatings begin at 6 p.m., followed by the show at 8 p.m.

For dinner and a show reservations, call the Fay Club at (978) 345-4537.

For tickets only, call Stratton Players at (978) 345-6066. Season-ticket holders are welcome to purchase tickets for the buffet only.