This unique production by Red Stitch Actors Theatre and Flinders Quartet was an imaginative concept that was well realised by all players. It also posed some challenges for a reviewer, combining as it did, Adam Cass’s play Behind Closed Doors and a performance of Schubert’s String Quartet No14 in D minor (‘Death and the Maiden’). The play concerned a string quartet in rehearsal for the very same Schubert work. It was multi-layered for more than the obvious reason, that of having the ‘real’ musicians play their instruments as the actors played the characters: two violinists, a violist and a cellist. As one of the tensions explored by the play was the effect of a new member on the quartet’s dynamics (in the widest sense) it was interesting that Finders had a guest in violinist Cameron Hill – and the program notes flagged other changes for 2013. (One hopes that that the ‘real’ newcomers will settle in more easily than Cass’s creation, James the cellist!) The first performance was the ‘rehearsal’, something of a misnomer as it was a cleverly conceived and fluidly executed piece. (You couldn’t help wondering how the actual rehearsals for the play went, with the musicians having to adjust their playing to the demands of the script). As with all good plays it had four believable characters in first violinist Evelyn, second violinist Damien, violist Stephen and cellist James. The dialogue slipped cleverly between banter about dates to analysis of the Schubert piece to criticisms about each other’s performance. It was as fast-paced as an allegretto, and required intense concentration on the part of the audience. Jason Bovaird’s lighting was cleverly used to suggest soliloquies, off-stage action, past events – or simply private space within the frenetic rehearsal. Not only individual quirks but also relationships (past and present) were revealed. As the only female in the quartet – and first violin – Evelyn was central to the action. Sarah Sutherland played the role with charm and admirable forbearance as she was constantly challenged and interrupted, in a way most leaders would find too confronting. Most of the challenge came from the violist, Stephen (Dion Mills) although the neurotic cellist, James (David Whitely) presented his own difficulties. Second violin Damien (Tim Ross) was drawn into the music itself (‘I become Schubert’) keeping the focus on that as arguments flew about him. The actors and director Alister Smith – and of course playwright Adam Cass – are to be congratulated for bringing off this rather voyeuristic but entirely satisfying look into the workings of a modern string quartet, as dextrous at rapid-fire texting as at bowing. The actual players on stage also deserve credit for the way they impassively played what was needed at each point of the action, without drawing attention away from the actors. After interval Flinders Quartet had its chance to shine, with the performance of Schubert’s ‘Death and the Maiden’. They delivered the emphatic opening (and silences) that the ‘other’ quartet had been striving for, and achieved a seamlessly united approach to the first movement, known for its restlessness. One of Flinders’ characteristics is the empathy between players, the balance heard best in the slow and sweet second movement – including a breathtakingly soft reprise. Although this movement comprises variations there was such continuity that they were hardly discernible – except for one that had the devil’s tuneful theme matched with the spirited attack of the first movement. The quartet seemed to slip momentarily but recovered so quickly I could not even recall which movement was affected. (It was a nice irony that the preceding play had made us understand how easily this could happen). But the fourth and final movement, through to the virtuosic ending, showed again the synchronicity of the quartet, one of Australia’s finest. The play/performance has too short a run. The logistics might be difficult but it deserves to be seen by many more audiences! Rating: 4 stars out of 5 Behind Closed Doors Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre and Flinders Quartet With Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre PROGRAM Adam J. A. Cass – ‘Behind Closed Doors’ Franz Schubert – String Quartet No. 14 in D minor (D. 810) ‘Death and the Maiden’ Melbourne Recital Centre 1 October