A Worthy Chorus

By Jeff Santa Barbara

VIEWMagazine
November 27, 2008

British culture, it seems, is so steeped in theatrical tradition that it keeps churning out plays about plays. In Hamilton, we’ve seen two of these produced in as many months. September saw Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing at the Players’ Guild, and now Village Theatre in Waterdown offers up A Chorus of Disapproval by Alan Ayckbourn. Village Theatre, known for pushing the envelope of amateur theatre, has taken a safer choice with this very English comedy. The results are mixed. While there is some snappy writing and solid performances from the cast, there are some pacing and other issues that keep this production from having the impact it could have.

The play begins at the end, showing us the rousing conclusion of the 18th century classic The Beggar’s Opera being performed by our heroes, the Pendon mateur Light Opera Society. We meet Dafydd Ap Llewellyn, the play’s director, as he takes a bow for his work but gives special mention to his leading man Guy Jones. Then we go to the beginning, watching Guy’s trepidation as he auditions for Dafydd. Although painfully shy at first, the boisterous director manages to bring Guy out of his shell and he impresses the entire company.

As Guy is embraced by the amateur players he becomes friend with Dafydd. He also discovers that the seemingly mild–mannered drama society is riddled with infighting and backstabbing. The stage manager and teen prima donna compete for the attention of the hunky lead (this competition erupts into a full WWF–style throwdown). And the men ply Guy for potentially lucrative information about his employer. Guy finds himself juggling two women, and taking on bigger and bigger roles in the play as actors keep dropping out. We already know the show comes out a success, but what of the backstage shenanigans? You will have to make the trip to Waterdown to find out.