“The Dresser” tells the story of one fateful night, backstage in a small regional theatre during World War II as a troupe of touring actors stages a production of Shakespeare’s “King Lear.” Bombs are falling, sirens are wailing, the curtain is up in an hour but the actor/manager “Sir” (Hopkins) who is playing Lear is nowhere to be seen. His dresser “Norman” (McKellen) must scramble to make sure the show goes on but will Sir turn up in time and if he does will he be able to perform that night?