A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

A Chorus of Disapproval

Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy  /  6w, 7m

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.

A Chorus of Disapproval

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    6w, 7m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Suggested Use
    • UIL Approved
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult
Accolades
Accolades
  • 1985 Evening Standard Best Comedy Award

    1985 Olivier Best Comedy Award 


Details

Summary

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. The National Theatre's production starred Michael Gambon as the shambling, madcap producer.

'A brilliance and invention remarkable even by his standards.' - Financial Times'Symmetrically shaped, psychologically acute and painfully, heart breakingly funny.' - The Guardian

Cast Attributes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

"A brilliance and invention remarkable even by his standards." - Financial Times

"Symmetrically shaped, psychologically acute and painfully, heart breakingly funny." - The Guardian

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

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Videos

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Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.
    This title may have restrictions in place for London based productions. Please submit a licence request to confirm specific availability.

Scripts

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Authors

Alan Ayckbourn

A playwright and theatre director, to date Alan Ayckbourn has written 89 plays – Family Album attracted four-star reviews when it premiered in September 2022 at the Stephen Joseph, where nearly all his plays are first staged.

However, this year he will stage his 88th play Welc ...

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