The Information on: `Quartet'

What Is It?

Despite Christopher Morahan's efficient production, Ronald Harwood squanders a promising subject in his clunking new play about four retired opera singers facing up to age and mortality in a residential home.

Who's In It?

Donald Sinden, Stephanie Cole, Angela Thorne and Alec McCowan play the veteran thesps who are invited to sing the quartet from Rigoletto as part of the home's Verdi celebrations.

What They Say About It

"I shall not give away the ending, except to say that you wonder what the hell you are supposed to be applauding - having wondered throughout why the hell you are there," Paul Taylor, The Independent.

"It is not a play for thrusting yoof, but I suspect that many more mature theatre-goers will enjoy it greatly," Charles Spencer, The Daily Telegraph.

"This is an entertaining, attractive, occasionally touching play. But I never felt the dramatic stakes were particularly high nor the emotions especially profound," Benedict Nightingale, The Times.

Where You Can See It

Quartet is at the Albery Theatre, London WC2 (0171-369 1740) to 4 Mar 2000