Review by Paul Towers, 16/6/26
Curtain Up! by Peter Quilter
Directed by Jo Gallagher
Produced by Leigh White for QT Theatre Group
At QT Theatre til Friday 19th June
2026
I seem to have hit a nice hot spot of Peter
Quilter plays of late. Quilter has a happy knack of writing well for women,
especially older women. Curtain Up! is a show about five women who have been
forced to come together to try and restore an old theatre to its former glory.
This tetchy quintet have been left the dilapidated building by recently deceased
Michael. His daughter Theresa (Amy Hollis) is over-excitedly optimistic and tries
desperately to get everyone to get on. Which is a mammoth task when she has
Michael’s widow Jackie (Sarah Johnson) and his ex-wife Pam (Cathy Rackstraw)
biting verbal lumps out of each other. Theresa’s Grandmother Betty (Margaret
Glenn) has a wonderful way of having sly digs while pretending innocence.
Making up the fifth is Michael’s ex-secretary Sharon (Ranata Maynard) who tries
to keep the peace.
All in all this typical laugh out loud Peter
Quilter. He joyously brings together five women who, in their various ways, are
stronger than they think as each finds their way through the mayhem of grief.
Each of the actresses give great performances
on QT Theatre’s intimate stage tucked away in Syston. Although they only do two
productions a year The Old Chapel has other events as well.
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