Quartet

This hilarious play certainly struck a chord with the packed expectant audience and with the majority of us being over 21 the subject matter of the retirement home could have been the main attraction, but whatever the reason they were not disappointed,

The story centers round a home for retired opera singers where three of the residents who consider themselves ‘the élite’ gather to pass the time and they decide to put on a concert to celebrate Verdi's birthday

Mary Whitehouse is excellent as the forgetful, jolly and excitable Cecily whose habit of welcoming everyone back from Karachi suggests that all is not well. No one has ever been there!

As is Robert Onions as Reginald who sits all day huddled in a chair, withdrawn and concentrating on his study of the meaning of art. Then all of a sudden he erupts, running to the window to hurl abuse at the matron who he has never forgiven for giving him apricot jam instead of marmalade at breakfast. (Brilliant)

Susan Lynch is delightful as the tactless, overbearing, Jean, constantly reminding everyone of her Diva status, miserable and resentful to find herself reduced to rejoining the ‘inmates’ at the retirement home.

The best lines go to Guy Radforth who is simply outstanding as the randy old man Wilfred, who delights in talking dirty to the innocent Cecily - especially when she has headphones on listening to music. His constant jibes about getting old hit several nerves with the audience and they laughed hysterically at every one - young and old alike. The relentlessly ticking clock reminds that here “Time does not so much pass slowly as hobble by on its own Zimmer frame.”

It goes without saying that time didn’t pass slowly for the audience! They loved every second!! But the story ends with the uplifting realisation that the body might be fading, but the spirit never dies!

Delightful set and lighting couple with quality direction from Rosemary Manjunath ensured that this funny masterpiece got the befitting ovation it deserved.

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