A Chorus Of Disapproval: Archive Images
A collection of archive material, posters, rehearsal and production images pertaining to Alan Ayckbourn's A Chorus of Disapproval. The Archive Images page is presented in association with the Borthwick Institute for Archives at the University of York where the Ayckbourn Archive is held. Click on an image to expand.A Chorus Of Disapproval (1984)
This letter from Alan Ayckbourn to the National Theatre's Artistic Director, Peter Hall, is the earliest known reference to the play which would become A Chorus Of Disapproval. At this point, it's a completely unrelated - and unwritten - play called Who Do You Think? which then became A Chorus Of Disapproval, possibly as a result of interest from Peter Hall.
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Holding: Borthwick Institute for Archives
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Copyright: Haydonning Ltd
Holding: Borthwick Institute for Archives
Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
A later letter from Alan Ayckbourn to Peter Hall about A Chorus Of Disapproval noting how much it has altered since the previous letter and also hinting at some of the notorious issues Alan had with his early ideas for the play.
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Holding: Borthwick Institute for Archives
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Copyright: Haydonning Ltd
Holding: Borthwick Institute for Archives
Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
Alan Ayckbourn's original intention for A Chorus Of Disapproval was to feature 'plants' in the audience, who would - without warning - join in the action. Sadly, the acting union Equity put paid to Alan using amateurs in a professional production, but not before auditions were actually held as this copy for the newspaper advert shows.
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Holding: The Bob Watson Archive
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Copyright: Haydonning Ltd
Holding: The Bob Watson Archive
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A little know fact about A Chorus Of Disapproval is the world premiere at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Round, Scarborough, was staged on a double-revolve (it has never been staged like this subsequently). This allowed Alan to alter the stage layout quickly and also realise several other effects for the play. Each location had a different state and this is an illustration of the second location in the play.
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Holding: The Bob Watson Archive
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Copyright: Haydonning Ltd
Holding: The Bob Watson Archive
Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
There are relatively few colour production photographs of Alan Ayckbourn's world premiere prior to the 1990s. This is one of several taken for A Chorus Of Disapproval at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Round in 1984. Sadly, most colour photographs from this period appear to have not been professionally taken and the quality is often quite poor.
Photographer: Alec Russell
Holding: The Bob Watson Archive
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Photographer: Alec Russell
Holding: The Bob Watson Archive
Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
Famously, film director Michael Winner adapted A Chorus Of Disapproval for the big screen in 1988, producing - arguably - the single worst screen adaptation of any Ayckbourn play. Alan, sensing which way the wind was blowing perhaps, showed up for one day of filming in Scarborough - seen here with actress Prunella Scales - before jetting off on holiday. A wise move considering what Winner did to his play.
Photographer: TBC (© Palisades)
Holding: Borthwick Institute for Archives
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Photographer: TBC (© Palisades)
Holding: Borthwick Institute for Archives
Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
Film director Michael Winner and Alan Ayckbourn soon came to blows when the film of A Chorus Of Disapproval was released in 1989. On several occasions, Winner accused Alan of knocking the adaptation or putting it down. Alan disagreed each time noting that he was just emphasising that the film was different to the play and could never be as good as the play, given it was never intended to a film. Unwritten was the fact Alan really did believe that Winner had butchered the play and completely missed the point of it.
Copyright: Haydonning Ltd
Holding: Borthwick Institute for Archives
Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
Copyright: Haydonning Ltd
Holding: Borthwick Institute for Archives
Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
In 2004, Alan Ayckbourn revived A Chorus of Disapproval at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, to great success. Within the programme, several photographs by Tony Bartholomew were featured purporting to show the PALOS company in rehearsal for The Beggar's Opera (obviously taken during rehearsals for A Chorus of Disapproval). This is a shot of the complete company of the revival in character as PALOS members.
Photographer: Tony Bartholomew (© Tony Bartholomew)
Holding: Ayckbourn Digital Archive
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Photographer: Tony Bartholomew (© Tony Bartholomew)
Holding: Ayckbourn Digital Archive
Do not reproduce images without permission of the copyright holder.
The Archive Images pages are presented in association with the Borthwick Institute for Archives at the University of York, where the Ayckbourn Archive is held.
All images on this page are copyright of the respective and labelled individual / organisation and should not be reproduced without permission.
All images on this page are copyright of the respective and labelled individual / organisation and should not be reproduced without permission.
