STARRING Nicholas Lyndhurst, written by Oscar-winning playwright Ronald Harwood and directed by Royal Shakespeare Company founder Peter Hall, The Dresser has an impeccable pedigree.

It plays at Cardiff's New Theatre from this Monday until Saturday. In a war-torn provincial theatre an ageing actor manager, known to his loyal acting company as 'Sir', is struggling to keep a grip on his sanity and complete his 227th performance of King Lear.

Thanks to Adolf Hitler, all the able-bodied actors are in uniform and bombs are destroying theatres across the country, but the show must go on. Ensuring that it does is Norman, Sir's devoted dresser, who for sixteen years has been there to fix his wig, massage his ego, remind him of his opening lines and provide the sound effects in the storm scene. Lyndhurst plays Norman.

His leading comedy roles have included Butterflies, The Two of Us, The Piglet Files, Goodnight Sweetheart and, of course the hapless Rodney in the British comedy favourite, Only Fools and Horses.

Julian Glover plays Sir. One of the most distinguished actors of his generation, his was last seen at the New in another Ronald Harwood play, Taking Sides.

Harwood won an Academy Award for Best Screenplay for The Pianist. Tickets cost from £7 to £24 and are available on 029 20 878889.