Cast

Synopsis

A local amateur light operatic society is rehearsing – among many trials and tribulations “The Beggars’ Opera”. A shy and lonely north country widower joins the society and finds himself progressing – by accident rather than design – from a one-line part to the leading role. A terrifically funny play, one of Ayckbourn’s best, The “Comedy of the Year” for 1985.

Directors Notes

A Chorus of Disapproval was first produced in Scarborough in 1984 and was directed by Alan Ayckbourn. Its enormous success led to the subsequent transfer to the Olivier auditorium of the National Theatre in 1985 where, once again directed by Ayckbourn, it played to the delight of audiences and the acclaim of critics. The play chronicles the bemusement of well-meaning, innocent Guy’s dizzy career rise within an amateur operatic society and is echoed by the sexual and financial intrigues of the locals. Songs from Gay’s great eighteenth century satire,”The Beggars’ Opera” punctuate the action and serve to comment on and broaden the story. Here we are presented with a superb all-round entertainment. Ayckbourn’s talent for fine writing which has one laughing one minute and sympathising with his characters’ dilemma the next, is perhaps presented at its finest in “A Chorus of Disapproval”. The complexity of the characters illustrates his constantly ripening gifts and although many snatch at happiness where they can, even if it means hurting others, they elicit our understanding and provide us with a great deal of amusement along the way.

It may be interesting as a footnote to speculate on how the play would have turned out if Ayckbourn had been allowed to use “The Student Prince” as his vehicle instead of “The Beggars’ Opera” ….. The mind, as they say, boggles.