Reader Reviews
A Chorus of Disapproval (The Harold Pinter Theatre (formerly The Comedy Theatre), West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Maybe Alan Ayckbourn saw Kiss Me Kate before writing A Chorus of Disapproval as there are huge similarities as the members of a local operatic society find parallels with the characters from A Beggars Opera. There are some blissfully funny scenes in the rehearsal room and none better than Nigel Harman's misconstrued invitation to a swingers party. However there are more occasions when it drags thanks to predicatably ponderous direction from Trevor Nunn but Ayckbourn doesn't help by inserting a tedious and superfluous sub-plot about a dodgy land deal. Most unusually it doesn't end with one of Ayckbourn's classic comic moments but just comes to an unresolved halt. I know they are playing amateur actors but some of the performances are surprisingly poor and the characters are sketchy to say the least. Almost all the best moments revolve around a tremendous comic performance by Rob Brydon as the over loquacious bearded director (wonder who he was based on) which included a brilliant extended ad lib to cover up a mistake in the first half which completely corpsed Harman. There were times when I laughed a great deal but not enough to make this a vintage Ayckbourn revival. - David Baxter | 06 Dec 12 |
| The audience demographic for this was definitely 95 yrs old and up... It was an okay evening out. I thought I would laugh a lot more than I did. Some of the supporting roles were wonderfully acted and the design was lovely. - Hewitt | 15 Nov 12 |
| A thoroughly enjoyable 2 1/2 hours with the audience (packed to the rafters on a Saturday matinee) laughing their socks off. I was totally engaged throughout the whole play. Rob Brydon was a revelation. I read all the reviews before going and think some might be a little too po-faced by this clever play. Go and enjoy it. - RAMS | 27 Oct 12 |
| Despite Brydon's energy, this is a tired, faded, and desperately poor production. Unfunny, weak acting, and frankly an embarrassment to the West End. I left thinking I really had seen an am-dram show, rather than a show ABOUT an am-dram show. Avoid like the plague. - TK | 04 Oct 12 |
| Rob Brydon's performance just tips this into 4 stars for me, but I agree that some of the supporting roles could be stronger. In fact I don't think this is one of his better plays but still well worth catching given Brydon's excellent interpretation of the main role. but - DCH | 28 Sep 12 |
