A Chorus of Disapproval

A Chorus of Disapproval
By Alan Ayckbourn. St Jude’s Players. St Jude’s Hall, Brighton. November 14-23, 2013.

Alan Ayckbourn’s plays are known for juxtaposing human failings and strengths against each other and his hysterically funny and intricate play, A Chorus of Disapproval, has plenty of both.

This is a difficult play that requires space to perform, but St Jude’s Players’ production is handled brilliantly on a small stage by director Kym Clayton.

A Chorus of Disapproval follows a small amateur operatic society as it struggles to stage John Gay’s 1728 opera, The Beggar’s Opera. When lust, infidelity and corruption beset the production, the result is hilarious chaos.

Andrew Clark is fabulous as the opera society’s manic director, Dafydd Ap Llewellyn. His comic timing is just right.  As Guy Jones, the new actor who becomes the reluctant target of female cast members’ affections,James Spargo is delightfully naïve and charming as he is entangled in some interesting situations.  Spargo also brings a fine singing voice to the role.

Maxine Grubel is hilarious as Fay Hubbard. She is a true cougar when she seduces the hapless new cast member, Guy Jones. Anthony Clapp is just as strong in his role as her swinging husband. Bernadette Abberdan is excellent, almost Julie Walters-like, as proud mum, Enid Washbrook, an endlessly cheerful woman in managing her sulky teenage daughter. As her husband Ted, who blatantly over-acts his operatic role, Lindsay Dunn is strong support.  Megan Humphriesis tremendous as the director’s wife, Hannah Llewellyn. 

David Lockwood, as Jarvis Huntley-Pike, Georgia Bolton as teenager, Linda Washbrook, and Anthony Vawser as her boyfriend stand out amongst the remaining cast.

The set design, using fold-out rooms, is a very good initiative on St Jude’s Hall’s small stage. This made the scene changes run very smoothly although lighting felt like it needed a bit of fine-tuning. 

This production is a fun night out and offers many a good laugh about the internal struggles of an amateur theatre group.

Sharon Malujlo

Earlier coverage / more detail

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