Masquerade to present Ayckbourn classic

Need to unwind from the EU hysteria? Then head towards St James Cavalier for Alan Ayckbourn's hilarious award-winning comedy A Chorus of Disapproval.

Described by critics as "a serious comic masterpiece: brilliantly constructed, hilarious and hard as nails," the play, which kicks off on March 8, follows Masquerade's recent spectacular musical Cabaret.

Written in the 1980s, A Chorus of Disapproval is funny and ingenious because it is firmly rooted in reality, with wickedly sharp characterisation.

In the play, The Pendon Amateur Light Operatic Society rehearses and performs The Beggar's Opera.

A naïve newcomer works his diffident way from the one-line role of Crook-Fingered Jack to the lead. He joins the troupe shortly after his wife's death as a diversion from his lonely and introspective life.

Along the way he engages the affections of every woman in the cast and innocently thwarts some shady business deals. He discovers that the drama on stage is quite often nothing compared with what is happening behind the scenes: seduction, romance, faction fighting, and the inevitable jealousy.

The play is being directed by British director Andy Smith, who last summer gave a number of theatre workshops during Masquerade's Summer Experience.

For the past 25 years, Smith has worked worldwide as a director, performer and theatre tutor.

In the UK, he has directed over 40 productions, including everything from the classics to post-modernist work. In the last year, Andy has contributed to This Morning (Granada Television), Tell It To Me Straight (Channel 4), and Life's Too Short (BBC Television).

The cast includes Ninette Micallef, Malcolm Galea, Isabel Warrington, Chris Dingli, Isabella Attard, Marc Spiteri, Pia Zammit and Andy Hamflett.

A Chorus of Disapproval will be performed at St James Cavalier Centre on March 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23.

Booking is open by calling 21246619, 21223216, or e-mail boxoffice@sjcav.org or masq@maltanet.net. All shows start at 8 p.m.