Quartet

Quartet is set in a home for retired opera singers and at times feels a little like a cross between Sex and the City and The Golden Girls with its sexy and funny themes, interspersed with operatic music.

On a set beautifully designed and gorgeously dressed by Rose Weighell and Jan Taylor, we meet three established residents of the home. Cissy Robson played with delightful humour by Kerry Goode, is a former leading soprano who is losing her marbles. Douglas Sutherland-Bruce plays slightly naughty and rough around the edges Wilfred Bond, while Kim Taylor is the straight-laced, marmalade loving Reginald Pagett. Their quiet and amiable existence is threatened when the new resident is the renowned star Jean Norton, nicely played by Anita Bound, who also happens to be Reginald's ex-wife.

This s a nicely presented play — very well acted by the four actors, and which rattles along nicely. I was briefly distracted by where it was set geographically (as the actors use their own, diverse accents) and that guessing from their lovely speaking voices, I suspect that the baritone character may actually be a tenor and vice — versa, but these are minor diversions in what is a solid show.

A lovely atmosphere front of house (thanks to KADS President Lesley Marshall and staff) adds to the warm feelings of the show, which is being well-received by capacity houses.

Kimberley Shaw