Should retirees acknowledge their age-related limitations, or fly in the face of them and refuse to be told “you can’t”?

Torch Theatre Company is preparing to stage Ronald Harwood’s Quartet, which explores the delicate issue of growing old and how to cope with the challenges it presents, writes Nick Hitchens.

Set in a retirement home, the audience is introduced to Reggie, Wilfred, Jean and Cecily – four former professionals musicians considering reliving their heyday with a performance of Verdi’s Rigoletto. Should they try to recreate the good old days or accept their limitations and avoid potential humiliation.

Many will know the 2012 film version, adapted from the 1999 play, featuring Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly, Pauline Collins and Michael Gambon.

June Voller is chairwoman of the Sutton-based theatre company.

She says: “This is a new one for us. The Cryer lends itself to this kind of more intimate production which was one of the considerations. The script just reads so true. I had a great aunt who lived to over 100. When I read this play I could hear her saying some of the same things. It is also very moving in places but there is a lot of humour.”

Voller also was pleased that the play gave some of the older members of her company the chance to shine.

She says: “It is inevitable with something like this that some people will miss out, but it was something that gave the mature actors, who don’t always get the chance, but can still do it all, to shine. There are a lot more parts typically for younger actors.”