The Quartet cast are enjoying the banter, writes KATHERINE MACALISTER.

If you’re gliding down the Thames on Monday and happen to spy Timothy West, Susannah York, Gwen Taylor and Michael Jayston punting towards Oxford, you’re not seeing things. This is the all-star cast of The Quartet on a day out before the curtain goes up at the Oxford Playhouse, and a day’s punting is already in the offing.

“No I won’t be doing the punting,” Susannah says in indignation. “I expect to be punted and have always felt like that,” she grins.

They’re a sociable bunch this lot, and, although all over 70, still manage to find time for a quick glass of wine after the show. “Yes, we still manage to carouse on tour,” Susannah laughs.

Indeed, Gwen’s only complaint is that she’s having trouble keeping up with the others. “After two shows a day and a glass of wine, I’m done in by 10pm,” the Duty Free star sighs. “Three glasses and the next day is written off so it’s an easy choice for me. But it doesn’t matter because the play and the cast are all great fun.”

Punting and drinking aside, the famous four are here to perform The Quartet at the Oxford Playhouse, a play that Gwen describes as “suitable for a vintage audience” which they are all enjoying hugely, not just for the storyline, but because they are allowed to act their age.“But then I never play anyone glamorous so it’s not a problem and means that for me ageing has been rather a pleasure. And you can still be sexy. Sexy’s not about size.”

For those watching her as Aunt Peggy in Heartbeat for the past five years, sexy might not be the first adjective that springs to mind. But now that the show has been axed, Gwen has moved on to pastures new.

“Oh, I’m a great mover-oner. I just think, ‘Great, what next?’.”

Susannah was less sure when she first saw the script. She was concerned her character Jean was too bitter and that the others got all the laughs. “But then I realised Jean was hiding something and the journey she goes through in the play was rather attractive to me,” she says. “She may be a disillusioned woman but she has a secret and once she’s divulged it, she has the chance to become fun again.”

And yet, surely Oscar-nominated Susannah doesn’t need to prove herself any more. Having been right up there with the likes of Sean Connery, Jane Fonda, Alec Guinness and Albert Finney, she can pick and choose what she wants? “Oh, one always needs to prove oneself,” she says. “The Quartet may not be Shakespeare, but then it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s not a classic but it’s a very well put-together play.

“I do pick and choose though because I have a very full life and don’t like to be away from my home, children, grand-children, friends and dog for too long. That’s why it’s great to have such a lovely cast that gets on so well.”

Gwen agrees: “I still get excited waiting for the curtain to go up – it’s excitement rather than fear these days. But the way I see it I’ve worked hard enough not to suffer for my art.”

Quartet runs at Oxford Playhouse from Monday to Saturday. Box office on 01865 305305 or book at oxfordplayhouse.

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