Events & Entertainment, Film & Theatre, Reviews | Posted on June 18th, 2026 | return to news

REVIEW: Quartet

Aria ready for this? ‘Quartet’ performed by Bournemouth Little Theatre Company

By Gill Hayes

Cecily, Reggie and Wilfred live in a home for retired opera singers in Kent. Jean, a highly regarded soprano, arrives at the home just in time for a concert which is held each year on 10 October to celebrate Verdi’s birthday.

Unfortunately, Jean is the estranged ex-wife of Reggie, which causes some tensions and divisions. They want to perform Rigoletto at the concert, but Jean refuses to sing! Can the four put aside their differences for one more magnificent finale?

This is a highly enjoyable, bawdy production of a play, written by Ronald Harwood and first performed at the Albery Theatre, London in September 1999.

Admirably directed by John Willmott and expertly choreographed by the backstage crew, the events take place over four scenes and three set changes.

‘Quartet’ is both funny and touching, with some saucy humour brilliantly performed by Peter Watson, who plays Wilfred. His innuendoes and asides are perfectly delivered.

Cecily (nicknamed Cissy), played by Carole Allen, is beginning to lose her mental faculties and Carole creates a great bumbling, confused and kindly character.

Reg (Bob Rankin) and Jean (Caroline Burr) are the story’s main protagonists. Bob is able to be calm then raging in an instant, constantly shocking the audience with his profanities while getting emotional about lime marmalade! Caroline makes a good waspy, entitled diva who eventually divulges her dark secret.

I particularly enjoyed the final scene set backstage on gala night. The four actors created an amusing scenario based on costumes, a hump, makeup and dialogue. Bravo too for their expertly lip-synced final performance!

‘Quartet’ is being performed until Saturday 20 June at 7.45pm. It is the last play in the theatre’s 2025/26 season ‘Dying with Laughter’. Get your tickets via https://www.bournemouthlittletheatre.co.uk.

The company’s next season, starting in September 2026, has the theme ‘Director’s Choice’.