Playwright Ronald Harwood has said he is “extraordinarily proud” of the BBC’s adaptation of The Dresser, starring Ian McKellen and Anthony Hopkins, after he appeared lukewarm about the production at a screening this week.
Harwood, author of the seminal 1980 play about an ageing actor and his devoted dresser during the second world war, said at a preview he was “happy-ish” with the BBC version, saying he would have preferred it to be revived on stage.
“It didn’t happen that way and then they put the pressure on me and I thought, ‘Oh screw it,’” added Harwood.
But in a statement released on Friday, Harwood said: “The truth is that for a lifetime I’ve been burdened by my wit and intellect and while it doesn’t always translate in print in our British press, it has served me well in many other ways, driving a 50-year career.
“Please let me clarify any misconceptions that may have been wrongly reported today. I am honoured to have watched my friends Anthony Hopkins and Ian McKellen deliver a masterclass in acting in Richard Eyre’s majestic production of The Dresser, a play of mine which I hold dear for a number of personal and professional reasons.
“The true glory of this BBC production is that it has brought together on screen a dream cast that sadly one would never be able to see on stage.
“And while my sarcasm was taken out of context at the BFI screening on Wednesday night, please let me say simply and clearly, I’m extraordinarily proud of Richard’s glorious adaptation of my play and am very grateful for the BBC’s support of my work.
“I hope in the future, my sly smile on delivery and the roaring laughter from the audience triggers journalists at our esteemed publications to recognise my sense of humour.”
Executive producer Colin Callender said at the screening they had originally hoped to revive The Dresser in the theatre rather than television.
Instead, the idea to put it onto the screen had come from Hopkins after he refused to return to the world of theatre he abandoned in favour of Hollywood.
“We went to go meet Anthony [Hopkins] in Los Angeles at this hotel and as I was walking towards him, he shouted across the room ‘I’m not doing it on stage’,” Callender said.
