A Chorus of Disapproval |
Written by Alan Ayckbourn. Directed by Anne Morris
Performed on Thursday 18 June to Saturday 20 June at Pentyrch Village Hall
Summary A Chorus of Disapproval follows the trials and tribulations of an amateur operatic society during the rehearsal period of “The Beggars Opera”. Stumbling into an early rehearsal is a shy young widower called Guy Jones, whose life is passing him by. Guy is quickly pounced upon with glee by Dafydd, the Welsh director and given a minor role in the show. Guy then rises through the ranks to become the star of the show and soon everyone wants a piece of him and Guy just can’t say ‘no’ to anyone! NODA Review by Derek Grattidge This enthusiastic and talented company has grown in stature since it was formed in 2002. I have seen several of their productions and I have never been disappointed. The facilities of the venue where they perform are limited and to mount an Alan Ayckbourn play of this magnitude on a small stage requires courage and a great deal of school. So well done Anne Morris and her team. This is a play within a play and the frustrated director was admirably played by Ian Campbell. He had all the problems which beset a director – I speak from experience – but surmounted them all. The role of Guy – who couldn’t say no – was equally well played by Bill Pithers. From joining the company, he went from shaking a spear on the back row of the chorus to playing the part of MacHeath in The Beggars Opera. These two characters are really the hub of the play but they were superbly backed by the rest of the principals and the small chorus. I had only seen this play once before and the Society playing it then had cut quite a lot of music which had the effect of reducing the running time by about 10 to 15 minutes and in my opinion allowed the piece to run more smoothly. But well done Hilltop for stretching yourselves once again and I look forward to seeing you again in November. Cast Guy Jones Bill Pithers Dafydd Ap Llewellyn Iain Campbell Hannah Llewellyn Siān Williams Bridget Baines Fiona Jackson Mr Ames Dai Williams Enid Washbrook Rebecca Church Rebecca Huntley Pike Hilary Evans Ian Hubbard Steve Williams Fay Hubbard Victoria Walters Jarvis Huntley Pike Phil Davies Ted Washbrook Martyn Foster Lewis Linda Washbrook Fleur Greening Crispin Usher Liam Daly Raymond Simon Jones
Chorus Sue O’ Halloran Jenna Claridge PRODUCTION TEAM Director Anne Morris Assistant Director Karen Claridge Singing Teacher Sue O’Halloran ‘Beggars Opera’ Music John Jenkins Choreography Laura Hallas Stage Manager Wayne Brewer Set Design Rhys Stapleton, Wayne Brewer Scenic Art Rhys Stapleton Lighting & Sound Wayne Brewer Backstage Support Sarah Jen Gazzard, Huw Herniman, Llwyd Herniman Properties Joe Morris, Morgan Rees, Carla Gambarini, Jenna Claridge, Abigail Dawson Wardrobe Sue Gambarini, Sam Jenkins Makeup Rebecca Mapham Business Manager Richard Jones Business Team Simon Jones, Helen Page Programme Richard Jones, Helen Page House Manager Richard Jones Front of House Members and Friends of Hilltop Bar Manager Iain Campbell / Helen Jones Box Office Brenda Slaughter
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