A Chorus Of Disapproval

Sonning Eye, Oxfordshire, England

Dinner

Jazz

A Chorus Of Disapproval

By ALAN AYCKBOURN

A handsome but shy widower, Guy Jones, attempts to escape from his life of loneliness by joining the local drama group, The Pendon Light Operatic Society. Unwittingly he becomes the romantic target for every female in the cast and also a subject of speculation among the men - particularly as they think he has inside information about a valuable property deal. By accident rather than design, with no acting or singing ability, he progresses from a one-line part in The Beggar's Opera to a bigger part, and so up and up, until he is playing the leading role! Along the way, again by accident rather than by design, he becomes the lover of two conniving women in the company. This creates all sorts of problems for the diffident Guy as he gets himself into deeper and deeper waters with hilarious results! Alan Ayckbourn continually shows how painfully embarrassed the British are in the face of emotion. And yet keeps us laughing in happy recognition. The master of comedy has done it again with this heartbreakingly funny play that guarantees an evening of thought provoking humour and scintillating wit.

The action takes place in and around
a small provincial theatre

CHRISTINE ABSALOM (Enid Washbrook) Christine is delighted to be appearing at the Mill. She is an Associate Artist with the Mercury Theatre Company in Colchester, where she recently played Mrs Hardcastle in SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER. Other roles at the Mercury have included Dabby Bryant in OUR COUNTRY’S GOOD, Titania in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Valentina Nrovka in THE BAY AT NICE, Lady Bracknell in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Dogsborough in THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI, MARIA IN TWELFTH NIGHT, WINNIE IN HAPPY DAYS, LÉONTINE IN THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE, KATE IN ALL MY SONS, ENSEMBLE IN OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR, the Nurse in ROMEO AND JULIET, Monica Reed in PRESENT LAUGHTER, Alice in THE DANCE OF DEATH, the Mother in BLOOD WEDDING, Madame Arcati in BLITHE SPIRIT, Lady Fancyfull in THE PROVOKED WIFE, Queen Margaret in RICHARD III, and Catherine Petkoff in ARMS AND THE MAN, a co-production between the Mercury and the Northcott in Exeter, where she also appeared as Mrs Malaprop in THE RIVALS and as Mrs Major O’Dowd in VANITY FAIR. Christine also played Big Mamma in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Nottingham Playhouse, the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh and the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry. Christine trained at LAMDA, and has since had extensive experience in regional theatre, and with the Royal National Theatre. She was a member of the BBC Radio Drama Company. Her television credits include THE BILL, BOON, CAPITAL CITY, KISS ME KATE, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, JANE EYRE, NANNY.

ROD ARTHUR (Daffyd Jones) Over the last thirty years Rod has had a very varied career. As well as appearing as an actor on stage, screen , television and radio he has spent time as a television presenter, was one half of a musical comedy ukulele double act and even appeared as Father Christmas in a live phone in on RICHARD AND JUDY. His recent television credits include appearances as Necket in BLEAK HOUSE Mr. Parsons in DR. WHO, and Mr Zack in Stephen Poliakof ‘s FRIENDS AND CROCODILES. Rod also had the unusual role of Parkkeeper Bob in PREHISTORIC PARK. He is soon to be seen in the new series of LOVE SOUP, the B.B.C.’s new historical drama CRANFORD, and appears as the chief constable of Edinburgh in a new film about the life of Houdini, DEATH DEFYING ACTS. In the theatre, Rod spent five years with the Royal Shakespeare Company with whom he was lucky enough to go on a world tour and two tours of the U.S.A. He has performed with most of the country’s ‘rep’ companies and lists his favourite roles as Macduff in MACBETH for Theatre Clwyd, Henry Ormonroyd in WHEN WE ARE MARRIED for York Theatre Royal and Gilbert Fleet in another Alan Aykbourn play THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE for Harrogate Theatre. Rod has appeared in over one hundred radio dramas for the B.B.C.

RICHARD ATTLEE (Ian Hubbard) Richard studied Drama and Russian at Birmingham University. His theatre credits include: PRESENT LAUGHTER (Bath Theatre Royal and tour), POSTCARDS FROM MAUPASSANT (Old Red Lion), THE CLEARING (Shared Experience – nominated Best Supporting Actor TMA Awards), MACBETH, TWELFTH NIGHT (Shakespeare’s Globe), THE WINTER’S TALE (Method and Madness), GORMENGHAST, LES ENFANTS DU PARADIS (David Glass Ensemble), VOLPONE, JULIUS CAESAR, THE TEMPEST (English Shakespeare Company). He has worked in rep at York, Chester and Exeter, where parts included Mozart in AMADEUS, Pip in GREAT EXPECTATIONS and Philip in Ben Elton’s GASPING. Television and film includes: PARTY ANIMALS, THE IT CROWD, MIDSOMER MURDERS, DUNKIRK, ULTIMATE FORCE, HISTORY FILE, CASUALTY, THE BILL, FAMILY AFFAIRS and Mike Leigh’s TOPSY-TURVY. On radio Richard plays Kenton in THE ARCHERS.

IAN BARRITT (Jarvis Huntley-Pike) Ian Barritt has just been at the National Theatre in THE LIFE OF GALILEO and THE ALCHEMIST. Other recent theatre includes KES and SEPARATE TABLES (Manchester Royal Exchange), REBECCA (national tour), THE MADNESS OF GEORGE III (West Yorkshire Playhouse and Birmingham Rep), TROILUS AND CRESSIDA (Bristol Tabacco Factory), HENRY IV, Parts One and Two (Bristol Old Vic) and RICHARD III and CORIOLANUS (Almeida - London, New York and Tokyo). Recent television includes ATTILA, DOCTORS, LIFE ON MARS, THE BRIDES IN THE BATH, FOYLES WAR, A TOUCH OF FROST, OFFICE GOSSIP and THE BILL.

CLAIRE CARRIE (Hannah Llewellyn) Claire achieved an MA Hons at St Andrews University before going on to train at LAMDA. Work for Alan Ayckbourn includes Stiffy Byng in BY JEEVES at the Lyric, Shaftsbury, Nora in A DOLLS HOUSE and Talitha in THIS IS WHERE WE CAME IN, at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough. Other theatre work includes Olivia in TWELFTH NIGHT, Hermia in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Diana in ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, Jennifer in PAINT YOUR WAGON, Philia in A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, Hortense in THE BOYFRIEND (all at the Open Air Theatre, Regents Park); Sister Sarah in GUYS AND DOLLS at the Crucible, Sheffield; Faith in LOVE IN A MAZE,at the Watermill, Newbury; Tina in A SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS at Chichester Festival Theatre and Cordelia in KING LEAR for the Young Vic in Japan. Claire has also worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company, performing at Stratford and London, and touring both nationally and abroad. Plays there include Toni in PENTECOST, Fanny in THE WIVES EXCUSE,Valeria in CORIOLANUS, Mistress Ford in THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. Television work includes THE BILL, TOUCHING EVIL, CASUALTY, MIDSOMER MURDERS, DOCTORS and most recently, HOLBY BLUE.

SOPHIE DUVAL (Bridget Baines) Sophie trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama. Theatre includes: GREAT EXPECTATIONS (Royal Shakespeare Company); UNLESS and SOAP (Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough); AMERICANS (Oxford Stage Company); HUMBLE BOY (West End); Robin Hood (Royal National Theatre); HOUSE AND GARDEN, THE RIVALS,THE SECRET GARDEN AND ONE GLASS WALL (Salisbury Playhouse); GREAT EXPECTATIONS (Bristol Old Vic); PAL JOEY (Nottingham Playhouse and Wolsey Theatre); THEATRE CAFE (Arcola); PEACHES (Finborough); MORE GRIMM TALES (Northern Stage); A CHRISTMAS CAROL and ALL SOULS NIGHT (Lyric Hammersmith); THE GAY DIVORCEE (Kings Head). TV includes: ELIZABETH DAVID, HARRY HILL'S EXTREEM SOAP, SINGLE, DICKENS, SILENT WITNESS,THE FINAL. Film includes: TOPSY TURVY. Radio includes: KNOCKER and BRANCHES.

GREGORY FINNEGAN (Crispin Usher) Trained at The Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. Previously at The Mill - Alan in FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS directed by Sally Hughes. Other Theatre Credits include - Jack in Tom Murphy's re-imagined TOO LATE FOR LOGIC for The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh, MYTHOMANIA (White Bear), Romeo in ROMEO AND JULIET (Cliveden Shakespeare Festival), and Keld in Noel Cowards' THE RAT TRAP (Finborough Theatre) director Tim Luscombe. Television and Film include - Giles in WINTER SOLSTICE, FAMILY AFFAIRS, MILE HIGH, Agatha Christie - A LIFE IN PICTURES, Gabriel in IS HARRY ON THE BOAT? (Season 1), and Mark Wainwright in SPOOKS.

DORIAN FORD (Mr Ames) Dorian began his acting career as a teenager in the title role of Jude - BBC's PLAY FOR TODAY. He then played Prince Edward in RICHARD III and Jean Paul in GRANGE HILL (both for BBC TV). Dorian has lived in America for many years, studying and playing Jazz at the Berklee College of Music, Boston. More recently he can be seen playing the piano and frolicking with the Windmill girls in Stephen Frears' MRS HENDERSON PRESENTS.

CLIVE HAYWARD (Guy Jones) Clive trained at the Bristol Old VicTheatre School. West End: Dad in DUCKTASTIC! (Albery Theatre) – Directed by Kenneth Branagh . National Theatre: Aeschylus in FROGS and Haig in OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR. Royal Exchange, Manchester: Batman in DR. HEART and Rageneau in CYRANO DE BERGERAC. Repertory and touring includes: Rik Mayall’s sidekick in THE NEW STATESMAN (Tour); THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE (Tour); Charles in BLITHE SPIRIT (Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton); MASTERPIECES – A Noel Coward Revue (Birmingham Rep and tour); THE MERRY WIDOW (Holland Park Opera); A VERY PRIVATE PASSION (Box Clever Theatre Company); Robert in DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER (English Theatre Frankfurt); RED BALLOON (Birmingham Rep) ; GOODNIGHT MR TOM - (Library Theatre) ; Ziegler/Curly in LIBERTY OREGON – (Traverse, Edinburgh); Feste in TWELFTH NIGHT - (Flying Solo Theatre co.); Bottom in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Bristol New Vic studio) ; Ham in TWO BY TWO (Wolsey, Ipswich); and JAMAICA INN (Salisbury Playhouse). Clive is frequently found in exotic locations with THE SHAKESPEARE REVUE, devised and directed by Malcolm McKee and Chris Luscombe. Film and Television – On Television this year he has been in PRIME SUSPECT VII , AFTERLIFE and DOCTORS. Clive appeared regularly in the BBC’s award winning ‘comedy history’ programme – HISTORYONICS. In one of the episodes he starred as Dick Turpin for which the casting brief was ‘ Must do comedy, not be good looking and ride a horse.’

SHONA LINDSAY (Fay Hubbard) Shona is one of the most sought-after ladies in the West End having been the youngest Christine to star in PHANTOM OF THE OPEA at Her Majestys, as Sandy in GREASE at The Dominion, I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT NOW CHANGE at the Comedy and most recently as Milly Pontipee in SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS at Theatre Royal, Haymarket. Recently starred in SAME TIME NEXT YEAR at The Mill at Sonning. Shona made per professional debut in the title of ANNIE followed by SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE and GROWING PAINS OF ADRIAN MOLE. She left school to join CROSSROADS and played Sara Briggs for two years. To mark the end of the series Shona released the single GOODBYE for RCA/BMG. Other theatre roles include CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, THE WICKED WORLD OF BEL AMI, THE PROVOKED HUSBAND and HOBSONS CHOICE at The New End, GODSPELL, and the national tour of SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN opposite Paul Nicholas. In between the national tours of SEVEN BRIDES, Shona appeared in the thriller MURDERED TO DEATH, OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR and THE MATING GAME. Shona was then reunited with Paul Nicholas for the first UK production of the award winning Broadway Musical JECKYLL & HYDE by Leslie Bricusse. Shona has appeared in the films BLUSH and TELEPHONE DETECTIVES as well as episodes of DOCTORS and CASUALTY. Among her many radio appearances are the musicals FOLLIES, CALL ME MADAM, THE DANCING YEARS and A CHORUS LINE as well as several FRIDAY NIGHT IS MUSIC NIGHT. For further information visit Shona’s website: www.shonalindsay.co.uk

JENNI MAITLAND (Linda Washbrook) Jenni trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama. Since graduating her theatre credits include: Marie in IN EXTREMIS, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre; Alice in CORAM BOY, Royal National Theatre; Cordelia/The Fool in KING LEAR, Creation Theatre Company; Judy in PLASTIC JESUS, Old Vic New Voices; Catherine Morland in NORTHANGER ABBEY, York Theatre Royal; Sally in HOUSE AND GARDEN, SALISBURY Playhouse; Edith in BLITHE SPIRIT, Derby Playhouse; Katarina/Cook in AMADEUS, York Theatre Royal, Rosie in DAISY PULLS IT OFF, Lyric Theatre, West End; Becky in FEN and Grace in SHARP RELIEF both at Salisbury Playhouse and Kristin in MISS JULIE, Barons Court Theatre.

CHRISTOPHER OWEN (Ted Washbrook) Christopher has recently played Dr. Shelby in THE MAN OF MY DREAMS, a Film for television of a Rosamund Pilcher novel and Earl Mountbatten in the feature film BAKER STREET with David Suchet. He trained at RADA, and has worked extensively in theatres throughout the UK including the Old Vic London, Chichester Festival Theatre, Lyric Hammersmith, London, Arts Theatre London, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Northcott Exeter, Liverpool Playhouse, Manchester Library Theatre. Between 2000 and 2004, he toured playing Lord Emsworth in his one-man show RIGHT HO, WODEHOUSE! with songs by Jerome Kern and Ivor Novello. During this time he was also touring his one-man show A PARSON’S TALE throughout the UK and in the Gulf States. His television work has included HOUSE OF CARDS (Peter McKenzie), Alan Ayckbourn’s SERVICE NOT INCLUDED, MORSE, SHARPES HONOUR, THE BILL, MEN BEHAVING BADLY, MINDER, SURGICAL SPIRIT. His films include Manion in BASIL, COLONIAL DISPATCHES, FEAR OF SILENCE with Max Wall which won the Gold Medal at the NY short film Festival 1991. He has written a number of professionally produced plays, his latest being A WILDE AFFAIR (or MISS PRISM AND CANON CHASUBLE IN CONCERT) which is at present touring the UK.

JOANNA VAN GYSEGHEM (Rebecca Huntley-Pike) Theatre work includes WILD HONEY, THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE and BEDROOM FARCE for Alan Ayckbourn at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, MACBETH and THE NORMAN CONQUESTS (Leeds Playhouse), HEARTBREAK HOUSE, TOP GIRLS and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Bristol Old Vic), ALICE’S BOYS (Savoy Theatre), THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (Cheltenham Everyman), TWELFTH NIGHT (Regent’s Park), A SHORT SHARP SHOCK (Royal Court), BLITHE SPIRIT and HENCEFORWARD…. (Vaudeville), ROUGH CROSSING and THE ODD COUPLE (Leatherhead), PARTY PIECE (Basingstoke) LETTICE AND LOVAGE (Gateway Theatre, Windsor) and HOUSE AND GARDEN (Salisbury). Television includes: FRAUD SQUAD, THE LINDEN TREE, INTIMATE STRANGERS, WITHIN THESE WALLS, SECRET ARMY, THE CHALLENGERS, FUNNY MAN, PIG IN HE MIDDLE, DUTY FREE, THE GIFTIE, RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY, DARLING BUDS OF MAY, DOWN TO EARTH, DALZIEL AND PASCOE, DANGERFIELD, PEAK PRACTICE, GRAFTERS, HEARTBEAT, A TOUCH OF FROST and THE QUEST. Radio: THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE (BBC World Service). Film: SPARKLE.

TIM LUSCOMBE (Director) As a director, Tim’s productions have been seen in the West End, all over the UK, On and Off Broadway (ARTIST DESCENDING A STAIRCASE at the Helen Hayes Theatre and WHEN SHE DANCED at the Playwrights’ Horizons), and in the Netherlands, Japan and at the National Theatre in Sweden. His London directing credits include EASY VIRTUE (Garrick), PRIVATE LIVES (Aldwych), ARTIST DESCENDING A STAIRCASE (Duke of York’s), THE BROWNING VERSION and HARLEQUINADE (Royalty), EUROVISION (Vaudeville), and RELATIVE VALUES (Savoy). Last year, Tim directed THE RAT TRAP at the Finborough Theatre in London, and, for the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, six of the eight plays in the INTIMATE EXCHANGES series, all of which subsequently transferred to New York. As a writer Tim has written plays for the National Theatre, the Royal Court and Hampstead Theatre.

MICHAEL HOLT (Set designer) Michaels extensive career has taken him to Australia, the U.S.A. and Europe for productions of drama, opera and ballet. He has designed numerous shows for Alan Ayckbourn in Scarborough and happily returns to The Mill.

JANE KIDD (Costume Designer) Jane who is our Resident Costume Designer, trained in Fashion Design at Berkshire College of Art. She freelanced in knitwear and dress design for five years before joining The Mill as Wardrobe Mistress, and enjoys a variety of making both period and modern costumes of which she has made many whilst at The Mill. Some of Jane’s recent costume designs include, STEPPING OUT, CAUGHT IN THE NET, SEPARATE TABLES, PERFECT WEDDING, FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS, IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY, SAME TIME NEXT YEAR, DOUBLE DEATH and BAREFOOT IN THE PARK.

JANET A CANTRILL (Lighting Designer) Since graduating from Rose Bruford, Janet has worked with a variety of touring companies, such as Shared Experience, Monstrous Regiment and Gay Sweatshop as Stage Manager. She has worked most recently at East 15 Acting School as Lighting Technician/Tutor and at Webber Douglas Academy as Production Manager. As a technician Janet worked at the Bloomsbury Theatre and the Tom Allen Centre, Stratford and The Drill Hall where she was Sound Engineer on the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain Concert Season. As a Lighting Designer Janet has lit shows for Webber Douglas, East 15, Bedfordshire Youth Opera and South West Youth Theatre and has also worked rigging Christmas decorations for James Glancy Design.

SARAH REDMOND (Choreographer) Sarah has worked extensively as an actress in Theatre, radio and TV. Choreography credits include STEPPING OUT and ITS NEVER TOO LATE (Mill At Sonning), JUST FRIENDS (Southwark Cathedral) AN EVENING OF SONDHEIM (West Yorkshire Playhouse) THE KONDOS (Jermyn St Theatre) SPAGHETTI OPERA (UK Tour) and BLACK SLAP AND SEQUINNS at the Landor Theatre. For more information please visit sarahredmond.moonfruit.com

SALLY HUGHES (Artistic Director) Sally trained for the stage as an actress at The Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. On graduating she was given her first engagement by John Fernald who directed her in COMING OF AGE. Then followed ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN at The Bush and CATCHPENNY TWIST at The King’s Head Theatre. In 1984 Sally took over the post of Artistic Director of The Mill At Sonning from Peter Egan and has directed and appeared in many of its productions, including DAMES AT SEA (an excerpt of which was included in The Royal Gala Performance in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales). Most recently she appeared as Barbara Smith in CAUGHT IN THE NET directed by Ray Cooneyand Ginger Mercer in the musical TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS directed by Alvin Rakoff and ALPHABETICAL ORDER directed by Anthony Valentine. The most recent plays Sally has directed at The Mill are STEPPING OUT and FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS and TIME TO KILL. Sally’s TV appearances include: LATE EXPECTATIONS and LAURA AND DISORDER, KEEPING UP APPEARANCES, BRUSHSTROKES & MULBERRY. Sally directed the National Tour of PASTIMES, starring Rosemary Leach and William Gaunt and also directed BAREFOOT IN THE PARK by Neil Simon at the Jermyn Street Theatre in the West End. Sally also appeared in TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS, at the King's Head, London.

ALAN AYCKBOURN (Playwright) Alan Ayckbourn is the long-serving Artistic Director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough and the author of over 60 plays, some of which have been performed at this theatre, including RELATIVELY SPEAKING, ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR, THE NORMAN CONQUESTS, BEDROOM FARCE, JUST BETWEEN OURSELVES and TAKING STEPS.

Production:
Production Manager	Joan Farnese
Stage Manager	James Neal
Chief Electrician	Janet A Cantrill
Master Carpenter	Ian Stroud
Wardrobe Mistress	Jane Kidd
Deputy Stage Managers	Jo Vimpany, Neil Webb
Assistant Stage Manager	Karen Brown
Technician	Ed Marshall
Scenic Artist	Tony Eden
Assistant Carpenter	Simon Graves
Wardrobe Assistant	Evelyn Fidler
Dressers	Ann Baker, Lynn Hinton, Catherine Bristow, Terry Bartholomew, Xye Appleton
Theatre Production Photography	Norman Weston
Website Production	Chris Berry