VIDEO: BBC Two Releases Trailer For Ian McKellen, Anthony Hopkins and Emily Watson In THE DRESSER

BBC Two has released a trailer previewing its new film adaptation of Ronald Harwood's THE DRESSER, starring Ian McKellen, Anthony Hopkins and Emily Watson, which will premiere on October 31st at 9pm.

Harwood's original play, based on his experiences as a dresser for Shakespearean actor and manager Sir Donald Wolfit, had its West End opening in 1980, with Tom Courtenay as the dresser named Norman and Freddie Jones as the actor, always referred to as Sir.

Set during World War II at the time of the London Blitz, the play follows a touring Shakespearean theatre company led by an aging manager/actor whose mental capacities are deteriorating. The relationship between Norman and Sir mimics the relationship of the king and his fool in their production of KING LEAR.

Courtenay brought the play to Broadway the next year, opposite Paul Rogers, and starred in a 1983 film adaptation with Albert Finney.

The new film adaptation, directed by Richard Eyre with a teleplay by Harwood, has McKellen as Norman, Hopkins as Sir and Watson as Sir's long-suffering wife and leading lady, referred to as Her Ladyship.

Visit bbc.co.uk for more information.