Quartet by Ronald Harwood, Manor Pavilion Theatre – Sidmouth, until 12 July, 4☆☆☆☆. Review: Cormac Richards

Photo Credit: Andrew Beckett.

Quartet by Ronald Harwood, Manor Pavilion Theatre – Sidmouth, until 12 July,

4☆☆☆☆. Review: Cormac Richards

“warm-hearted and poignant”

The opportunities for four highly experienced actors to take to the stage in a play just featuring them are very few and far between; Ronald Harwood’s 1999 play ‘Quartet’ fulfils that function and does so perfectly.

Set in a retirement home for opera singers and musicians – possibly based on a combination of Casa Verdi in Milan and Denville Hall on the outskirts of North London (though that is more specifically for actors) – the characters tell their own tales as they look at their past as performers, their present retirement and the future. The narrative is almost four stories told at the same time with the occasional cross-over and clash, before coming together at the end.

Wilfred, Reginald and Cecily are jogging along quite merrily when everything changes with the arrival of the formidable Jean. The newcomer doesn’t want to be in a home, doesn’t want to relive her past, and doesn’t want to partake in the annual celebration of Giuseppe Verdi; but the others have different ideas. It is the old relationships and lives they have lead which creates the, ultimately, warm-hearted and poignant plot of the play.

A beautiful set, complete with baby grand piano and portraits of composers, provides a comfortable backdrop to the story, while some lovely costumes and the pre-curtain opera music complete the delightful picture. The Summer Festival team have wanted to mount a production of this play for many years; they have now been able to and the casting is spot-on. James Pellow’s great comic timing is self-evident here, for it is through humour that Wilf gets through the day and if he makes others laugh then that is a bonus; but there is a sadness there which Pellow provides in beautiful contrast to the jokes.  Reggie is the polar opposite to Wilf; straight-laced, elegant and bitter - Paul Lavers provides a many layered performance; as the story progresses, the veils he uses to hide his feelings are lifted, it is superb work. The innocent, almost child-like Cecily of Érin Geraghty is initially amusing but ultimately moving as her dementia becomes even more marked; a tender, heart-breaking and skilful performance, which is played to perfection. Hilary Harwood is perfect as the sharp-tongued, imperious and vulnerable Jean Horton; utterly devastated by her current state, her resolve is gradually melted by the others; this is another fully 3D performance. The long-friendship of the characters is completely believable as they cope with life away from the limelight.

By its very nature, this is not an action-packed play, but director Andrew Beckett ensures that what could be very static has a continual movement to it; at times it almost seems the foursome are creating some form of dance. Above all Ronald Harwood’s beautiful script is a joy.

A few instances of tentative delivery slightly slow the pace a couple of times, but the performances shine through to the conclusion with their performance of the quartet from Rigoletto, which produces a small lump in the throat and a broad smile.

This is a wonderful opportunity to see this gentle and hugely entertaining play which is ultimately uplifting and offers a positive look at life.

Cast

Cecily Robson - Érin Geraghty

Reginald Paget – Paul Lavers

Wilfred Bond – James Pellow

Jean Horton – Hilary Harwood

Creatives

Writer – Ronald Harwood

Director – Andrew Beckett

Set Design – Andrew Beckett

Costume Designer – Jan Huckle

Lighting Design – Chris Jackson, Will Tippet,

Sound Design – James Prendergast

Set Builder – Rhys Cannon

Stage Manager - James Prendergast

Set Assistant – Dominic McChesney

Artistic Director – Paul Taylor-Mills

Associate Producer – Andrew Beckett