Ian McKellen-Anthony Hopkins movie 'The Dresser' gets a U.S. trailer, premiere date

BEVERLY HILLS , Calif., March 26 (UPI) -- Writer-director Richard Eyre's adaptation of Ronald Harwood's play The Dresser, starring Ian McKellen and Anthony Hopkins, is to have its U.S. premiere May 30, Starz announced.

The BBC-Starz production marks the first screen collaboration between McKellen and Hopkins. It is also Hopkins' first appearance in a television drama in more than 20 years.

"The Dresser tells the story of one fateful night, backstage in a small regional theater during World War II as a troupe of touring actors stages a production of Shakespeare's King Lear," a synopsis said.

"Bombs are falling, sirens are wailing, the curtain is up in an hour, but the actor/manager Sir [played by Hopkins] who is playing Lear is nowhere to be seen. His dresser Norman [played by 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?"

The ensemble also includes Emily Watson, Sarah Lancashire, Vanessa Kirby, Edward Fox, Tom Brooke, John Ashton, Ian Conningham, Annalisa Rossi, Helen Bradbury, Carl Sanderson, Matthew Cottle and Martin Chamberlain.