Review: QUARTET, Theatre Royal Brighton

What happens to musicians when they are old and grey? Where do famous singers retire when their voices are an echo of what they once were? Ronald Harwood's Quartet follows the antics of four elderly former opera stars as they live out their days in a specialist musician's retirement home in an expansive country residence in Kent.

The original production opened in the West End in 1999 at the Albery Theatre (now the Noël Coward Theatre), and Harwood later adapted the play for film in 2012 (directed by Dustin Hofmann and starring Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Pauline Collins and Billy Connolly). This is the most recent touring production, directed by Peter Rowe, which opened in Cheltenham on 8 February.

Much of the play is set in the house's music room, claimed as the territory of three residents: Wilfred Bond (Paul Nicholas), Reginald Paget (Jeff Rawle) and Cecily Robertson (Wendi Peters). In Act I they welcome a new resident, renowned soprano Jean Horton (Sue Holderness), who just happens to be Reginald's ex-wife - and who is rather less enthusiastic about her arrival at such short notice.

Even though it's Jean's first day at the home, which she's finding incredibly unsettling, the three friends try to convince her to join them in a performance of the "Quartet" from Verdi's Rigoletto for an upcoming concert at the home to mark Verdi's birthday - one of a number of events designed to keep the gifted guests occupied.

Peters delights the audience as batty, loveable Cecily. While her performance garners many chuckles, you could hear a pin drop when Cecily's dementia symptoms overwhelmed her at times.

Nicholas plays Wilfred with just the right amount of style and smut, meaning he's still likeable despite his inability to hold a conversation without a double entendre.

Rawle portrays the two extremes of Reginald's character well, from quiet, caring old gent to raging lunatic triggered by the unlikeliest of events - such as the mention of the resident nurse (Pamela Hardman), who denies him marmalade at breakfast.

Holderness's Jean has a sweet vulnerability, despite her general prima donna temperament, while Simon Markey turns heads (literally) when playing a heckling audience member in the royal circle in the final concert scene.

Michael E Hall's lighting design effectively gives the impression of a sunlit lounge on a summer's day and also helps to transport us to the concert performance later in the year in October.

Phil R Daniels and Charles Cusick-Smith's set aptly shows the luxury of the residents' surroundings, and small details such as knitting on the coffee table and mugs with musical notes on them are a nice touch.

Their costume design also helps to augment the characters' personalities - from Cecily's crazy, multicoloured cardigans to Reginald's smart tweed jackets - and the opera costumes are suitably over the top.

Quartet is a charming tale of friendship and the reality of growing older, brought to life by the engaging cast.

Quartet at Theatre Royal Brighton until 31 March

Photo credit: Theatre Royal Brighton

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