QUARTET To 9 May.
Oldham.
QUARTET
by Ronald Harwood.
Coliseum Theatre To 9 May 2009.
Tue-Sat 7.30pm; Mat 25, 29 April 9 May 2.30pm.
BSL Signed 30 April.
Runs: 2hr 30min One interval.
TICKETS: 0161 624 2829.
www.coliseum.org.uk.
Review: Stoon 18 April 2009.
Three’s company…Four’s not Pitch Perfect.
At the interval I asked the stranger next to me what she thought – “unengaging” she replied.
The balance between hysteria/eccentricity/amnesia/comedy/poignancy/regret is a mighty fine one and this production not only attempts to walk that line, but then lobs in a feel good factor.
Inspired by Verdi, who bequeathed a house in Milan as a home for ex-opera singers, we meet four residents with connected pasts and possibly a future as the opportunity to perform together again for one last ‘gala’ performance arises, the collective minds willing, the vocal chords less so.
It’s an A-list cast and the Coliseum’s stage is dressed to kill by Dawn Allsopp. Yet the piece meanders at a snail’s pace, though for the first few minutes the script rides a delicious sexually risqué course, courtesy of the livewire Wilf (Russell Dixon), who throughout is the catalyst for amusement. Despite the odd choice nugget, most of the dialogue cannot sustain that opening.
The humour’s played with a wide bat bordering on occasional slapstick. More destructive is the verbal delivery.
Anny Tobin portrays Jean well enough to make her ‘diva’ traits recognisable but Reginald (Col Farrell) is one dimensional, only occasionally abandoning restraint in his moments with Jean. Cecily (Roberta Kerr) is the most ‘away with the fairies’ of the lot but lacks comic subtlety in her wand and sufficient variation as her catchphrases and mannerisms wear thin - she’s there to be humoured by the others, who duly oblige.
With the plotline nicely signposted to a Grand Finale curtain call, act two promises more and, for a while, measures up as we join the quartet backstage nervously donning costumes and make-up in their dressing room. But then we’re subjected to lengthy recollections which lack any sparkle and halt momentum; by the time the four take the stage our roses have long since wilted.
The Coliseum’s season opened strongly last Autumn with Brassed Off & Travels With My Aunt, but 2009 has seen a trio of weaker productions.
As the end draws nigh, we hear the words “Art is nothing if it doesn’t make you feel”. Never a truer word spoken.
Wilf: Russell Dixon.
Reginald: Col Farrell.
Jean: Anny Tobin.
Cecily: Roberta Kerr.
Director: Kevin Shaw.
Designer: Dawn Allsopp.
Lighting: Thomas Weir.
Sound: Lorna Munden.
Musical Advisor: Howard Gray.
2009-04-27 00:10:00