A Chorus of Disapproval (2014)

By Alan Ayckbourn

Directed by David Crawford

A diffident North Country widower attempts to escape from his loneliness by joining the local amateur light operatic society. By accident, rather than design, he advances from a one line part to the lead. As the play progresses the author skilfully draws parallels between John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera and the day to day activities of the Society who are performing it. 

A Chorus of Disapproval was performed in November 2014 at Theatr Colwyn with the following cast:

Dafydd ap Llewellyn...........................Ray Hughes 

Guy Jones.........................................Gavin Baldwin 

Hannah Llewellyn........................Karen Shepherd 

Ian Hubbard..........................................Tony Evans 

Fay Hubbard....................................Lara Crawford 

Jarvis Huntley-Pike......................Chris Bainbridge 

Rebecca Huntley-Pike.....................Helen Thomas 

Ted Washbrook............................Richard Williams 

Edith Washbrook............................Judith Williams

Linda Washbrook............................Lorna Hughes 

Bridget Baines.............................Leah Bainbridge

Crispin Usher.......................................Ryan Davies

Mr Ames...................................................Jim Noble

Stage Management Team 

Anne Allsopp, Andrew Thomas, Simone Baldwin, Jenny Allsopp and Nathan Bolland.

Hair and Make-up

 Emily Fenwick 

Front of House

 Carole Lauren and David Crawford

Noda Review by Lyn Emmerson

This Alan Ayckbourn play begins by telling us about a lonely widower, Guy Jones, brilliantly played by Gavin Baldwin, joining the local amateur operatic society to try to make new friends.

The play depicts the society rehearsing for ‘The Beggar’s Opera’. Alan Ayckbourn has cleverly intertwined the original story with the happenings during rehearsals and performance. Without giving too much away our hero, Guy, moves more by luck than good management from having a one-line role to taking the male lead. His journey to the top obviously involves the other members of the society.

Ray Hughes was a natural in the role Director – Dafydd ap Llewellyn.  Hardly ever off the stage Ray, gave a flawless performance in this role, his superb Welsh accent retained throughout the piece. Good all round performance from Karen Shepherd as Hannah Llewellyn, his long suffering wife, whilst Leah Bainbridge brought a good deal of experience to the role of Bridget Baines. Richard Williams gave a notable performance as Ted Washbrook, who suffers insults from Director Dafydd, and constantly requires his wife, Enid, confidently played by Judith Williams, to make up his mind for him.

Helen Thomas and Chris Bainbridge gave plenty of depth to the roles of wealthy Rebecca and Jarvis Huntley-Pike respectively, as their names depict. Skilful interpretation of flirtatious Fay Hubbard from Lara Crawford who played this role with a broad and fitting Lancashire accent, with Tony Evans making the most of his role as her suspicious husband, Ian Hubbard. Ryan Davies as Crispin Usher, Lorna Hughes as Linda Washbrook and Chris Atherton, Raymond, demonstrated their well-honed abilities in their roles.

Excellent contribution from musically talented Jim Noble as Mr Ames. Jim added greatly to the success of the production, playing as we entered the theatre, linking between scenes, which, without these interludes would have shown a few pauses during scene changes, and of course accompanying the cast during their musical moments.

Finally must mention David Crawford who demonstrated fully, the art of Directorship in this prestigious piece.