A Chorus of Disapproval

A full length play for 7 males and 6 females. A diffident widower attempts to escape loneliness by joining the local amateur light operatic society. By accident rather than by design (in fact, by not saying "no" to anything be it a request to obtain confidential information from his company or an offer of illicit sex) he advances from a small part to the lead. Parallels are skillfully drawn between The Beggar's Opera and the day to day activities of the society which is performing it. Ayckbourn goes on showing how painfully embarrassed are the British in the face of emotion and keeps us laughing in happy recognition. The National Theatre's production starred Michael Gambon as the shambling, madcap producer with able support from Bob Peck, Gemma Craven and Imelda Staunton.