Directed by Margaret Ray
Quartet was written by Ronald Harwood, a prolific writer for stage and screen (The Dresser and screenplays including The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich).
Set in a home for retired musicians, it focusses on 3 residents, all ex-opera singers, and the turmoil resulting from the arrival of a fourth, who is not only their stage partner but the ex-wife of one of them. Her arrival coincides with the re-release of their celebrated recording of the opera Rigoletto and inspires them to consider reprising their famous performance of The Quartet from the opera for their “Joe Green” celebratory day. But there is one major problem: a fourth member refuses to countenance the idea, and the quartet looks like becoming a trio. But the show must go on!
This play has many layers and draws parallels with the characters and the roles they performed in Rigoletto. Appearances are deceptive and long-held secrets are gradually revealed — challenging and changing their beliefs about each other.
A drama with humour, it is saucy, funny, and touching. It examines love, friendship and forgiveness. Above all it celebrates growing old positively and almost disgracefully.