A Chorus of Disapproval by Alan Ayckbourn.

Rehearsals are well underway at the Penton Operatic Society, although they are severely behind schedule and falling further behind after each rehearsal. In A Chorus of Disapproval by Alan Ayckbourn things go from bad to worse quite slowly as Director David Ap Llewellyn (Robert Bowman) tries to steer the production of A Beggar’s Opera forward oblivious to what’s going on around him.

The Operatic cast is an odd mixture of people who in their everyday lives more than likely wouldn’t mix. Then comes along widower Guy Jones (Damian Humbley) who unintentionally stirs things up and causes quite a few issues between two of the married cast members. Hannah Llewellyn (Rebecca Cooper) is married to the director and Fay Hubbard (Sasha Fox) is married to businessman Ian Hubbard (Richard Hurst).

There’s a hidden agenda that comes to the surface as the storyline develops. Both David and Ian are looking to purchase a piece of land. Guy is assumed to have inside knowledge about the secret land sale by his multinational employer BLM, and is treated as a confidant by the various competing parties for the land. Guy’s naivete turns out to be his undoing. He ends up playing Macheath the lead role, yet he is also socially ostracised by the entire cast.

Director Gareth Machin excellent casting choices for this touring production. Each of the characters offers the audience a believable narrative of their lives outside the Opera. Some of whom are likeable and others you would probably avoid at all costs.

Teri Buxton, costume supervisor created a selection of matching clothing options for married couple Enid Washbrook (Heather Williams) and Ted Westbrook (Lloyd Notice) to match their “twee and lovie dovie” personalities. I especially liked the patchwork duffle coats they wear. We all know that one couple who likes to wear matching clothes!

A Chorus of Disapproval offers plenty of humour throughout the performance, and I lost count of the times it caught me off guard, and I couldn’t stop laughing. Watch out for the director, David, as he works all over the theatre, making sure the production runs smoothly. Well, it gets to opening night at least!