A Chorus of Disapproval (play)
| A Chorus of Disapproval | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Original window card, 1984 | |||
| Written by | Alan Ayckbourn | ||
| Date premiered | 2 May 1984 | ||
| Place premiered |
Stephen Joseph Theatre (Westwood site) Scarborough, England | ||
| Original language | English | ||
| Subject | An amateur operatic society mirrors The Beggar's Opera | ||
| Genre | Comedy | ||
| Official site | |||
| Ayckbourn chronology | |||
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A Chorus of Disapproval is a 1984 play written by English playwright Alan Ayckbourn.
Synopsis
The story follows a young widower, Guy Jones, as he joins an amateur operatic society that is putting on The Beggar's Opera. He rapidly progresses through the ranks to become the male lead, while simultaneously conducting liaisons with several of the female cast. Many of the songs from The Beggar's Opera are kept within the play, usually being sung with their own, new context.
First productions
Ayckbourn wrote the work for the 1984 summer season at his Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, where it opened on 2 May. Peter Hall, director of the National Theatre, London, had expressed an interest in the piece and Ayckbourn modified his initial concept to suit an eventual large-scale production; on 1 August 1985 it opened in the National's Olivier auditorium, with Ayckbourn directing, Michael Gambon playing amateur director Dafydd Llewellyn and Bob Peck as newcomer Guy Jones. The female leads were Gemma Craven, Imelda Staunton and Kelly Hunter.[1][2]
Film adaptation
Further reading
- Ayckbourn, Alan (1985). A Chorus of Disapproval: A Play (First ed.). London: Samuel French. ISBN 0-573-01620-8.
References
- ↑ Murgatroyd, Simon. "An In-Depth Background To A Chorus Of Disapproval". Alan Ayckbourn: The Plays - In Depth. alanayckbourn.net. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
- ↑ Wardle, Irving (2 August 1985). "Painful laughter". The Times.