Gloria to star in Quartet | Taranaki News | Local News in Taranaki

Book early to catch Stratford's own Gloria Webby on stage in 'Quartet' at New Plymouth's Little Theatre. Gloria is well known to Stratford audiences, with some very memorable roles for Stratford On Stage. Gloria also teaches English and drama at St Mary's Diocesan School.

Gloria delights as the dithery Cecily Robson, a fading opera star now living in a retirement home for ageing thespians and musicians.

Gloria is joined in this New Zealand premiere of Quartet by Heather Eggleton, well known and loved by TV and theatre audiences alike, Terry Brady, well known to both Hawera and New Plymouth audiences and Jeff Sanders who has made his mark in a number of recent New Plymouth and Inglewood plays.

Cecily (Gloria Webby), Wilfred (Terry Brady) and Reginald (Jeff Sanders) are living in a cosy co-existence, when it is shattered by the arrival of Jean Horton (Heather Eggleton). She is a Diva Supreme, fragile physically but with a monstrous ego. Old enmities are roused and petty jealousies aired in the ensuing acts as the three long-term residents endeavour to persuade Jean to join a reprised version of their once-famous Quartet scene from Rigoletto. Ronald Harwood's witty, gritty dialogue will touch as does the gallantry of these characters, reminding us that age may diminish our senses but not our spirit.

Harwood has a huge list of well-known plays and film scripts to his credit including The Pianist, Evita Peron and The Dresser. The inimitable and multi-talented Peter Meikle directs and the musical scenes are coached by Gabrielle Barr. A good show is guaranteed!

The Quartet season opens with a gala performance on Thursday March 29 and runs until April 8. It will start at 7.30pm, with no performance on Good Friday. There will be two Sunday matinees starting at 4pm. Tickets are available from Mondo Man, 'On the Hill', Devon St East. Phone 06 751 2364 for further information.