A CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL

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.

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