A CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL

UK. 1988, 99 minutes, Colour.
Jeremy Irons, Anthony Hopkins, Richard Briars, Gareth Hunt, Patsy Kensit, Prunella Scales, Jenny Seagrove, Barbara Ferris, Sylvia Sims, Lionel Jeffries.
Directed by Michael Winner.

A Chorus of Disapproval is based on the play by Alan Ayckbourn. It was adapted for the screen by the playwright and the director, Michael Winner.

In the '60s, Michael Winner made such comedies in England as The Jokers and I'll Never Forget Whatsisname. He then spent many years in Hollywood, making at least six films with Charles Bronson, including three of the Death Wish films. With A Chorus of Disapproval, he moves to his roots in English comedy.

The film is a realistic interpretation of a very stylised play. Realistic settings, very beautiful, at Scarborough in Yorkshire, offer a backing to this play about an amateur theatrical society putting on The Beggar's Opera. The characters in the society parallel the incidents in The Beggar's Opera.

Jeremy Irons is the central character - and is a sign of contradiction. He seems too eminently sensible for the role of the rather mediocre Guy Jones. In fact, what happens to him seems perfectly sensible. However, the play seems to indicate that he is a nincompoop who rises despite himself. This seems to put the film somewhat out of joint. However, the supporting cast is excellent. Anthony Hopkins relishes his opportunity as the eccentric director. A very strong cast of British character actors including Prunella Scales, Lionel Jeffries, Richard Briers, Barbara Ferris, Jenny Seagrove, Gareth Hunt and newcomers Patsy Kensit and Alexandra Pigg offer excellent interpretations of their roles.

The film has a sharp eye on eccentric British characters as well as a comment on British society.

1.British comedy? Characters, society, spoof?

2.The work of Alan Ayckbourn, his role in British theatre? His wit? Characterisations? His contribution to the adaptation for the screen?

3.Scarborough locations, the beauty, the boarding house, homes, shops and theatres? Authentic atmosphere?

4.How successful the opening out of the play? Real realism, stylised?

5.The basis in putting on The Beggar's Opera? The adaptation of the play to the characters in the 20th century?

6.Jeremy Irons as Guy Jones: the success of his casting? Arrival, in himself, his expression, finding a home, going to work, the car? Seeing the advertisement? Going to the audition, the mix-ups of singing `All Through the Night'? His gaining the friendship of Dafydd? The introduction to the cast, charming the ladies? His ordinary life in the town, widower, seeking information about the property? The old ladies and their friendship, Hilda? The visit to Dafydd's home, meeting Hannah, his tenderness with her, the bond between the two, leading to an affair? The meetings at the beach, the cafe and his being caught by Fay, his room and the landlady? The farcical elements? Hannah doing his laundry? Fay as the sexpot, the invitation to the dinner, the prospect of wife-swapping and his not noticing? His inviting Hilda? His being used to find out about the property? Jarvis and his wife and the giving of the money, the passing on of the rumour? His visit to Jarvis's wife? His friendship with Dafydd, the betrayal with Hannah? His participation in the play, his one line, his gradually being promoted to better parts? The practices, by himself, with the group, with Hannah? Performance? The information about the property, his company moving away, his being transferred? Angers? His throwing away the money? Dafydd's attack on him, his wishing him good luck, his praising him in the speech? His going to Blackpool, the advertisement for the new play, dancing The Merry Widow? How interesting a character? How ordinary?

7.Anthony Hopkins as Dafydd: his appearance, manner, directing skills? His manner and his skills? Eccentricities? With the cast, abusing them, praising them? Staging of the production? With them in the hotel, the fight amongst the girls? Cocoa at home, phone calls? His relationship with Hannah and the twins? The doll there in the house to signify his absence? His advice and help, his tantrums? Insulting Ted? Pursuit of Crispin for the part? The girls? The prompter? Guy and his friendship, talking - especially about Hannah (and the PA system operating)? Serious? The land and his work as a solicitor? The rehearsals, in the theatre, the lighting? Hearing the truth about Hannah and Guy? His being hurt? His attack on Guy? Then wishing him good luck and his final tribute to him?

8.Hannah in herself, repressed? Her husband thinking her icy? Her passionate nature, at home, dressing up and coming down to meet Guy? Talking with him? Feeling appreciated and loved? The affair, the ill-fated meetings? Doing his laundry? The fight with Fay in the restaurant? Hurt, deciding to leave Dafydd? The performance, the phone call about her children?

9.Fay and Ian, their part in the play, sex swingers, the arrangement for information about the property, the meal, Guy's misunderstanding, Fay's leading him on, the comic turn about veal? Hilda's arrival? The bribe and the land? The pressures on him? Their anger at the failure of the deal?

10.Crispin, the contrast between his appearance and voice, the two girls infatuated with him, the fight over him, the upset in the pub? The daughter of the hotel-owner, smart, with Crispin? Prompting? Ridiculing the girl? Their sulking?

11.Ted and his wife, nice, no ear for the play and singing, their concern about their daughter? Dafydd telling Ted off and humiliating him in public? Ordinary citizens?

12.Jarvis and his wife, age, the wife and her eye on Guy? Jarvis and his contributions to the directions, the property, sending the money, wanting the rumour spread? Guy's visit to the wife? The end and the money being thrown away?

13.Characters and social comment? A microcosm of England?