A Chorus Of Disapproval: A Timeline
The Timeline offers a chronological view of significant events in the history of the play A Chorus Of Disapproval; it only lists major productions and does not include the vast majority of the many professional and amateur productions of the play.14 January 1984
In a letter to the National Theatre's Artistic Director, Peter Hall, Alan Ayckbourn notes his next play will be a small, light piece called Who Do You Think? Possibly as a result of Hall's interest from the National Theatre in staging whatever he next writes, Alan decides to embark on something more ambitious.
7 March 1984
The title of Alan Ayckbourn's new play is publicly confirmed in the Scarborough Evening News as A Chorus Of Disapproval. At this point the play is based around Rudolf Friml's The Vagabond King and will involve amateur and professional actors.
Late March / Early April 1984
Issues with the original concept lead Alan to change the direction of the play. He writes a play based around John Gay's The Beggar's Opera and drops the idea of amateur performers.
April 1984
Rehearsals for A Chorus Of Disapproval begin.
2 May 1984
World premiere of A Chorus Of Disapproval at the Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round, Scarborough, directed by Alan Ayckbourn.
1 August 1985
A Chorus Of Disapproval opens at The Olivier, National Theatre, London, directed by Alan Ayckbourn.
October 1985
The film director Michael Winner first expresses an interest in making a film of A Chorus Of Disapproval.
December 1985
Samuel French publishes an acting edition of A Chorus Of Disapproval.
1986
The National Theatre's production of A Chorus Of Disapproval wins the Olivier, Evening Standard and DRAMA awards for Best Comedy.
6 January 1986
Faber & Faber publishes A Chorus Of Disapproval.
11 June 1986
A Chorus Of Disapproval transfers to the Lyric Theatre, London, directed by Alan Ayckbourn. Colin Blakely takes over the role of Dafydd ap Llewellyn from Michael Gambon.
Late 1986
Ill health sees Colin Blakely unable to regularly perform in A Chorus Of Disapproval.
Early 1987
Russell Dixon, who originally played the role of Daydd in Scarborough, takes over from Colin Blakely who is unable to continue performing due to ill health.
7 March 1987
A Chorus Of Disapproval closes at the Lyric Theatre, London.
7 May 1987
Colin Blakely dies from leukaemia.
4 October 1987
Colin Blakely - A Celebration at the Lyric Theatre sees the first performance of the short piece, An Evening With PALOS, written by Alan for the event featuring characters first seen in A Chorus of Disapproval.
Late 1987
A Chorus Of Disapproval is released for general professional production.
March 1988
First professional tour of A Chorus Of Disapproval opens at the Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon.
1989
A Chorus Of Disapproval is released for amateur production.
18 August 1989
American premier of the film A Chorus Of Disapproval, directed by Michael Winner, at the Paris Theatre, New York.
19 October 1989
UK and Royal premiere of the film A Chorus Of Disapproval, directed by Michael Winner, at the Curzon West End Cinema, London.
12 August 1991
The film A Chorus Of Disapproval, directed by Michael Winner, is made available on video in the UK for the first time.
17 July 1995
Faber & Faber publishes Alan Ayckbourn: Plays 1; a collection of Ayckbourn plays including A Chorus Of Disapproval.
14 July 2004
Revival of A Chorus Of Disapproval at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, directed by Alan Ayckbourn.
7 May 2007
The film A Chorus Of Disapproval, directed by Michael Winner, is made available on DVD in the UK for the first time.
17 September 2012
A Chorus Of Disapproval, directed by Trevor Nunn, opens at the Harold Pinter Theatre, London, for a limited 16 week season.
Article by Simon Murgatroyd. Copyright: Haydonning Ltd. Please do not reproduce without permission of the copyright holder.