- This event has passed.
Production Launch – ‘Quartet’
12 October @ 9:30 am – 10:00 pm
This is your opportunity to become involved with the Highbury Players production of …
Quartet
by Ronald Harwood
Directed by Liz Parry
To be performed from Tuesday 26 January to Saturday 6 February 2027 at 7:30pm.
Cissy, Reggie and Wilf are happily retired in a home for former professional musicians, but their peace is threatened when soprano Jean arrives unexpectedly. With the annual Verdi concert coming up, can these four old friends overcome fear in time to revive their famous quartet?
A heartwarming story of memory, friendship and the enduring power of music.
The Characters
All are residents in a retirement home for musicians and singers and described in the script as being aged about 70 or over, so although the actors don’t need to be that age, they need to be able to ‘age up’. No-one needs to be able to sing.
Cecily Robson – described as a large woman. She is beginning to get confused.
Reginald Paget – described as slim, fit, immaculate, a collar-and-tie man. He is the sort who makes notes on what he is reading.
Wilfred Bond – described as “big in every sense, untidy in an artistic sort of way or, perhaps, simply neglectful of his appearance.” He uses a walking stick and his thoughts run to the carnal.
Jean Horton – described as slender and frail, using a stick. She has the “manner of a grande dame and dresses accordingly.”
Bobby Swanson (off-stage) – a pianist.
The technical team
Kelvin McArdle is the production manager and the production team is going to need people to help with the setting, the costumes, the props and the lighting (to be designed by Andrew Noakes) and sound. The stage manager is James Blackburn who will need a stage crew.
For the setting, the action of the play takes place in the music room which is “comfortably furnished in a rather haphazard way.” There’s reference to a baby grand piano, a large mirror and a screen as well as photos or paintings of various famous composers, conductors and performers.
The costumes will include the “ordinary” clothes of the characters on four separate days and costumes for Rigoletto characters.
There are also a variety of props and some specific lighting and sound effects.
Interested in taking part? Either onstage or off? Then come along to meet the director at the Production Launch on Monday 12 October 2026 at 7:30pm in the theatre’s Upper Foyer. There’ll be a read through of the play, after which you can decide if you’d like to get involved.
For people interested in acting, the auditions will be on Monday 19 October 2026 at 7:30pm, also in the theatre’s Upper Foyer.
If you are interested in taking part in this production but unable to make the Production Launch, or have any questions, please get in touch using comms@highburytheatre.co.uk, where your message will be forwarded to the director.
Please note:
- You will be invited to become a member of the Highbury Players if you wish to be involved in this production.
- This amateur production by the Highbury Players is by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd.
- Highbury Theatre Centre is run entirely by volunteers, and thus all roles in this production are unpaid.