Quartet

Quartet - A comedy by Ronald Harwood   

Exmouth Players

Directed by Ray Virr

The Blackmore Theatre, Exmouth

Thursday 27th September 2018

 

Audiences perhaps more familiar with the 2013 film and its stars of stage and screen were certainly not disappointed with this production, as they were transported to the confines of a country retirement home for opera singers right from the start. Cecily, Reggie and Wilfred are bumbling along together nicely having made the music room of the home  their private space, as an escape from the other “inmates” and the unwelcome dictates of the staff. Cecily is somewhat losing the plot and thinks everyone is in India, but mercifully she seems oblivious to the constant lustful banter coming from the rather rascally Wilfred!  Reggie is quieter and more serious but not without moments of frustration, and they all take each day as it comes, constantly reminding themselves of their mantra NSP – No Self Pity! This happy state of affairs takes a turn for the worse with the unexpected arrival of Jean, a once popular opera diva, now penniless and who in the distant past had “enjoyed” a very brief marriage to Reggie!  The trio try to persuade Jean to join them in recreating their famous Quartet from Rigoletto at the home’s annual Gala in celebration of Giuseppe Verdi’s birthday - or Joe Green as they affectionately call him!  After much initial resistance, having for many years concealed the sudden deterioration in her voice which had forced her into early retirement and contributed to her bitterness, she eventually agrees.  During the ensuing preparations and costume fittings for the Gala past stories and secrets are shared and they begin to bond again as a foursome. Cecily was played with a bubbly girlish delight, certainly giving the impression of being away with the fairies, and Wilfred her luckless paramour was just right with great expressions, always longing to hear the words “I’m ready!”  Reggie was suitably reserved and intense, bottling up his resentment of Jean while venting all his anger against the maid for not serving him marmalade! These three characters gelled excellently together, managing in the end to coax the acerbic and self-centred Jean, played with an outer hard-shell but showing glimpses of her inner vulnerability, back into the warmth and camaraderie of their “Quartet”. The costumes were well chosen for the characters, the transition to the dressing-rooms, when Jean finally relaxed and dropped her guard, worked well and the selecting of the performance attire was great fun! The set was bright and well designed, although perhaps lacking the armchairs so typical in residential homes, and the French doors with the sun light spilling onto the patio gave a good impression of outside space. Well done to the director and the Players for bringing this funny and poignant script to the stage.

 

‘Tricia Barclay

NODA Representative District 6

 

Disclaimer

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular the performance viewed.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances, and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

               


 

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