Begin with three quirky former opera stars, now approaching their twilight years – baritone Wilf, a would-be Lothario with a weakness for Scotch; contralto Cissy, still girlishly coquettish in the early stages of dementia and tenor Reggie, wryly philosophical (‘I want a dignified senility’) but capable of tantrums when he doesn’t get marmalade with his breakfast. Put them together in Beecham House, a home for retired musicians. Then stand back and watch the sparks fly as their affable co-existence is disrupted by the sudden arrival of a feisty new resident: Jean, Reggie’s diva ex-wife.
This is the intriguing set-up of Quartet, a bittersweet four-handed comedy by Ronald Harwood. Premiered as a stage play in 1999, it was revived five years ago in a successful film version starring Billy Connolly, Pauline Collins, Tom Courtenay and Maggie Smith. Now, as the 55th production of Cornwall’s highly-acclaimed community theatre company Camp Theatre, it’s about to tour the South West and will be performed for a South Hams audience in Dittisham’s newly-refurbished Village Hall at the end of September.
‘This will be the first time Dittisham has hosted a touring theatre company,’ says Ian A’Court, Chair of the village’s own theatre group, the Ditsum Players. ‘We’re really thrilled to have been able to collaborate with Camp Theatre in this way and are keen for as many people as possible to support this new venture. The play itself is great fun. One of the characters comments that the retirement home feels more like a madhouse at times! But there’s also plenty for an audience to think about.’
Steve Jefferies, the play’s director, agrees. ‘Audiences can expect an evening that will have lots of laughter but also poignant moments as the characters confront what it is to grow old.’ As the singers’ voices have faded, so too have their physical powers. (When shown the portrait of the home’s founder, the composer Sir Thomas Beecham, new arrival Jean comments wryly: ‘His grandfather made laxatives. Naming a nursing home after him is frighteningly apt.’)
But amidst all the in-fighting and bitchiness, there are moments of touching camaraderie. ‘Are you telling me to go out and smell the roses?’ says Jean angrily. ‘Oh no,’ Cissy replies. ‘We're telling you the roses are long gone. But the chrysanthemums are magnificent.’
The Camp Theatre Company will perform Quartet in Ditttisham Village Hall on Saturday 30 September at 7.30 p.m. Tickets £10, from John Wells (01803 722414)
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