A Chorus Of Disapproval

I love Alan Ayckbourn’s work but this was the first time that I had seen this particular play with music, which is a departure for the writer as well as for the cast, and it was nice to see that the actors were also good singers!

Director Vic Gray always gets the best from a script and this play was no exception, as we enjoyed every comedy moment.   Mike Jones, despite his welsh surname, doesn’t usually have a welsh accent but, playing Dafydd AP Llewellyn, he had a really good one for this play and it was maintained throughout.  Wayne Prince, playing Guy Jones the newcomer, was very good, managing to look completely guileless throughout.  Jill Snelling (Hannah Llewellyn) and Karen Reeves (Fay Hubbard) gave their usual faultless performances.  In fact, every member of the cast was on top form and it seems a shame not to give then all a mention so, here goes.

Victoria Grayling (Bridget Baines) Lisa Chapman (Rebecca Huntley-Pike) Trevor Povey (Ted Washbrook) Bill Patten (Jarvis Huntley-Pike) Dean Rands (Crispin Usher) Nicole Povey (Linda Washbrook) Colin Gibbons (Ian Hubbard) and Pauline Crowhurst (Enid Washbrook).   The cast was completed by Luke Coldham who played Mr Ames the MD in the play, with some lovely facial expressions!   As he was also the actual MD for the play, he has worked really hard to bring the cast to a good standard for their onstage songs.

The scenery was simple but effective with the use of various trucks and small pieces to set the various scenes.  The ‘Beggars Opera’ costumes were excellent and contrasted nicely with the modern clothes for the non ‘Beggars Opera’ scenes.

Thurrock Courts Players dedicated this production to the late John Scowen and I am sure he would have been very proud of the results.  An excellent evening’s entertainment, well done and thank you.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.